Eddie Howe has left his role as Newcastle United manager, ending a five-year spell in which he led the Magpies back to the Champions League and ended a 56-year trophy drought by beating Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. However, Howe faced increasing criticism for lacking a successful 'Plan B' as his high-intensity style suffered under fatigue, European demands, and injuries.
How Jaissle's Style Has Evolved
AI analysis from Machine Football examines Matthias Jaissle, current Al Ahli boss and expected successor. In 2023/24, Jaissle’s side were 'high-octane pressers' in a 4-2-3-1, earning 1.85 points per game. The following season, they became 'aggressive disruptors', with expected goals rising from 1.59 to 1.97 per 90 and points per game increasing to 2.04.
In 2025/26, Jaissle added flexibility: alongside the primary 4-2-3-1 (used over 40% of games), he introduced a 4-3-3 in 22% and a low-block 4-4-2 in about 20% of matches. Despite formation changes, the approach remained consistent: a PPDA of 9.02, 7.18 through passes per game (league average 4.13), and 19.83 touches in the opposition box (league average 16.46). This yielded his best domestic season at 2.38 points per game and a second consecutive AFC Champions League Elite title.
Howe's 'Flip-Flopping' Tactical Approach
Howe's tenure saw seasonal tactical shifts. In 2022/23, Newcastle were 'high-octane pressers' with 2.09 PPG. The 2023/24 season brought a shift to 'passive controllers' (1.72 PPG, seventh place). In 2024/25, without European football, they returned to an 'attacking engine' style (1.81 PPG, fifth place). The 2025/26 season saw a move to 'possession builders', but with only 1.26 PPG and a 12th-place finish.
Comparing 2025/26 stats, Newcastle and Al Ahli had similar possession, but Al Ahli completed fewer passes, attempted more than twice as many through balls, created higher-quality chances, and conceded almost half as many goals.
Can Saudi Success Translate to Premier League?
In 34 Saudi Pro League matches, Al Ahli scored 71 goals (2.09 per game), conceded 25 (0.74), kept 17 clean sheets, and won 73.5% of matches. Their expected goals total (66.73) closely mirrored actual goals, suggesting sustainable attacking output. Newcastle scored 53 goals in 38 Premier League games (1.39 per game), won 36.8% of matches, and had near-identical expected goals for and against (59.23 vs 59.5). The key difference lies not in possession but in how the ball is used. Jaissle must now prove he can replicate these principles in the Premier League.
