Newcastle United has shown early signs of Matthias Jaissle’s preferred style of play during the opening weeks of his tenure, but the head coach believes the team remains several months away from reaching its ultimate footballing identity.
In an interview with multiple media members during the international break, including The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Jaissle revealed Newcastle’s desire for a clear, aggressive playing style was central to why the club appointed him and why he accepted the job.
“That’s
why I’m here and why the club signed me,” Jaissle said. “The club is looking for a clear identity, a clear playing style. It’s a great fit. Players who were already here fit into that style.”
Jaissle admitted implementing those principles has been more difficult than anticipated because of a compressed preseason he didn’t fully organize and the limited training time he’s had to date.
“There were elements in games where we saw a lot of the things we were looking for,” Jaissle said. “There were also phases where we were not happy and satisfied. There’s still a lot we can improve.”
The German manager described the introduction of his ideas as “tougher than expected,” but remains encouraged by the overall progress. Jaissle’s approach is built around vertical, front-foot attacking football, something sporting director Ross Wilson viewed as a strong fit for Newcastle.
Jaissle is convinced that philosophy can succeed in the Premier League rather than needing to be fundamentally altered.
“The playing style doesn’t change,” Jaissle said. “As a coach, you have your clear identity, your clear principles.”
How encouraged are you by the early signs of Jaissle’s system, and what still needs the most work? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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