Matthias Jaissle met the media on Thursday in La Manga, days after Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson dubbed him a 'rock star'. The new head coach, however, delivered a measured and composed first press conference.
Hopkinson had outlined his vision for 'Newcastle 2.0' upon the team's arrival in Spain, with Jaissle tasked to implement it. "The people here are going to fall in love with what he brings to Newcastle," Hopkinson told the Athletic. "Eddie leaves big shoes to fill. I have every confidence MJ is the right man to lead us into the future and build on everything Eddie has done for this club. This guy is really impressive. This guy is fire. He is a rock star."
Understated Confidence
Despite his success at RB Salzburg and Al-Ahli, Jaissle avoided grand statements. With co-owner Jamie Reuben and PIF chief Jacobo Solis observing, he remained poised and focused on the journey ahead.
"I have always big ambitions. That's, I think, the key element for every coach, otherwise I would be not here," Jaissle explained. "That's the same here now in Newcastle, but it's always easy said, where we want to go and on which place we want to end up. For me, doesn't make too much sense in football because it's difficult to plan things in advance as you probably know."
He emphasized daily improvement: "Therefore, it's for me the most important thing that you just do your best every day and get the best out of the players, try to improve them, support them, give them also the courage to grow, and that's now the phase where we're in in the pre-season, and therefore I'm really much looking forward."
Pre-Season Challenges
With just over two weeks until the Premier League opener against Liverpool, and only four friendlies scheduled, time is short for Jaissle to implement his ideas. The squad has also lost four key players and their cup-winning head coach.
"I'm confident to do the best out of that short amount of time," Jaissle told Chronicle Live. "Of course it's another challenge, because there's not too many days left until the first match against Liverpool, but that's now the phase."
He acknowledged the transitions: "There are so many transitions at the moment, many players left, big, big players, legends for the club left. But we need to see it as a chance, not having too many excuses now, just thinking forward (of) what we can influence. Control the controllables, I used to say, and we are sure there will be progress."
Transfer Market Plans
Jaissle has clear transfer ideas but wants to give current players a chance. "I have some clear ideas but I want to give the players who are here a chance," he added. "They can show up. It is a new challenge for them and we can wait. We have, for sure, the capacity to do something on the market and our sporting director is aware of that. Then for sure when the season starts we will, for sure, see some more new faces."
