Newcastle United players have been getting to grips with the Matthias Jaissle way of working this week, and the media were given an insight into his methods at an open training session on Thursday.
Jaissle was officially unveiled as Newcastle United manager on Wednesday evening, joining from Al-Ahli, arriving as a serial trophy winner from his time in Austria and Saudi Arabia. But his methods are still relatively unknown to English audiences, so the club invited journalists to an open training session during their camp in La Manga, Spain.
PIF chief greets players
Upon arrival, reporters were greeted by sporting director Ross Wilson and club director Jacobo Solis, who is also Head of Direct Investments Department in the International Investments Division of the PIF. Solis had flown in to oversee training and get an insight into the first days of the Jaissle era, introducing himself to reporters before greeting the players one by one as they shook his hand before taking to the pitch. The PIF presence at training felt significant after a week of upheaval on Tyneside.
Light session in front of cameras
Jaissle introduced himself briefly to the media before the session, reiterating his delight to be at the club and his excitement to return to Newcastle. He explained that Thursday's session would be light, having instructed the previous two days to be intense double sessions ahead of Saturday's first game against Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium.
Schar trains separately
Fabian Schar, who came off with a tight groin in the defeat to Bristol City last week, was not initially seen with the rest of the squad. The former Swiss international emerged afterwards with an individual coach, seemingly training away from the group. Lewis Hall was also training separately with a fitness coach, as previously reported.
New signings involved
All five of Newcastle's new signings were involved in training, with Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen part of a five-strong goalkeeping unit alongside Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie, and Aidan Harris. Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba were involved ahead of their first appearances on Saturday, while Sean Steur, who impressed against Gateshead and Bristol City, also took part.
Bunce and Wilson chat
Ahead of the session, Wilson and performance director James Bunce addressed the media, reiterating their excitement for what Jaissle will bring and the direction the club is going. "It is brave, it is bold," they said, with more from that chat expected later this week.
