Jaissle on joining Newcastle, Woltemade and a fan chant
Jaissle on joining Newcastle, Woltemade and a fan chant
Millie Sian - BBC Sport journalist Tue, August 11, 2026 at 4:16 PM UTC
0
Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle has been speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment.
Advertisement
Here are the key lines from Tuesday's news conference:
Newcastle United first made contact about the managerial role at the end of July. There were "never any doubts or question marks" around the opportunity due to the club's "special history, great fanbase and clear DNA". In his eyes, it is a "perfect fit".
It was good to have his new squad "all together with no distractions" for the week-long pre-season training camp in Spain, but he admitted: "I'm happy to be home - if I can say that - in Newcastle."
The 38-year-old is aware of the "big challenge" he has taken on, with the club being in a "transitional period", but it only makes sense to "see the opportunity" in the situation.
He explained: "I'm here to do the best job possible. Of course I would've loved to be here from the beginning, but that's something I cannot influence. We are totally aware of the positions we might need to strengthen, but we are confident in the players we have right now."
Nick Woltemade has been urged to "leave the past behind him because it is something he cannot change". Instead, he is being encouraged to "look forward and feel optimistic" about the upcoming season.
On what he has been asked to deliver in his first season: "Ambition, but that will not happen overnight. Firstly, we need to have a clear vision of where we want to get to. If we have synergy between the fans, players and staff, I'm sure we will be successful."
When asked about his playing style, he replied: "Intense football with a vertical approach, target-orientated because we want to score goals, plus aggressive and front-footed."
The pre-season double-header against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg this weekend will give him the opportunity to see "amazing" St James' Park with a fuller crowd.
He added: "When I walked out onto the pitch here for the first time, alongside my assistant coaches, we were just looking at each other with big smiles and goosebumps. It was really special."
On having a reputation for being passionate in his technical area: "That's my personality. I'm quite emotional on the touchline, but I will need to respect my box a little bit more. I'm a bit scared, I need to learn the rules. I had a long line in Saudi Arabia and I think my GPS [step count] was quite high!"
Following Bruno Guimaraes' recent exit, he is yet to appoint a new club captain. It will be a tough decision as all of the players are showing "huge commitment" day in, day out.
On the fans already coming up with a Matthias Jaissle chant: "I've got my spies on social media who have told me a special song has already been created. I'm really happy the fans already appreciate me a lot. It has given me a really nice feeling."
Source: “AOL Sports”
