Matthias Jaissle is set to be crowned as Newcastle United's new manager in the next day or so, and will immediately get down to business by meeting the squad in La Manga. Having succeeded Eddie Howe, the German will need time to settle in but will not be granted much breathing space, with a wealth of issues awaiting him, from gaps in the squad to a lack of confidence. Our Newcastle United writers have given their views on the biggest issues for the new boss.
Lee Ryder: Closing the gap on the top five
Lee Ryder believes the biggest challenge will be closing the gap on the top five at a rapid rate, because fans will get behind the new manager straight away, "as they always do". He notes that Newcastle slipped to 12th place last season, and teams like Brentford, Brighton and AFC Bournemouth - not to mention Sunderland - overtook the Magpies. Ryder says a solid first half to the season is vital.
However, he expects Jaissle to come in with "a clean and fresh look at everything" and to bring confidence and swagger. While he thinks players and fans will like him, rejoining the top five in a season is a tall order and patience may need to be the watchword on Tyneside.
Sean McCormick: Clarity over Bruno Guimaraes' future
Sean McCormick says Jaissle's first priority is getting clarity over Bruno Guimaraes' future. The captain is the centerpiece of the team, and if he stays, Jaissle can build the team around him and sort out other priorities, with options at full-back still spread far too thinly. If he leaves, Jaissle must push for more experience to come through the door, not just in midfield but across the squad, ensuring the talented youngsters signed this summer are complemented with proven campaigners.
Ross Gregory: Fixing a broken squad
Ross Gregory does not see a single big challenge for Jaissle, "no silver bullet". Instead, he will need to plough through an overflowing in-tray. The Bruno issue is clear and obvious, but is symptomatic of the wider challenge: how to fix a broken squad.
Gregory points out that Eddie Howe is gone and the team he built is all but gone too, citing Pope on his way out, as well as Trippier, Tonali, Gordon, Isak, Wilson, Longstaff, possibly Guimaraes, Willock and Murphy. Joelinton is a flight risk, as are Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. He says it looks messy. Perhaps the one area that must be addressed first and foremost is the identity and leadership, or lack of, that remains. Jaissle will need a core of strong, confident leaders around him as he takes on the task of reinvigorating a club with huge ambitions, huge pressure and huge expectations in a league and country he has never worked in.
Stuart Jamieson: Rebuilding confidence and goals
Stuart Jamieson calls it a fresh start and a clean slate for Jaissle, but says he will have to revitalise a squad that was falling apart towards the end of last season. For all the talk of rebuilds, United have only added three first-team players, if Ewen Jaouen will not play a huge role just yet and Lukas Hornicek is set to become number four. That means Jaissle will need to work with plenty of Eddie Howe's players.
The first big challenge, Jamieson says, is persuading Bruno Guimaraes that he can help lead the new-look United, and that may depend on whether Arsenal are willing to match Newcastle's valuation. Should he leave, the priority will be bringing in a player who can replace his creativity and influence. After that, it's all about goals. Can Jaissle find a formula which brings the best out of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, or will United have to buy a goalscorer before the window closes? As things stand, this remains a major concern.
