Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has delivered a glowing endorsement of new head coach Matthias Jaissle, describing the German as a “rock star” and insisting there is “no ceiling” to what he can achieve in Tyneside.
Speaking to The Athletic after Jaissle’s appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, Hopkinson revealed Newcastle’s extensive search process before deciding on the former Al-Ahli boss as Eddie Howe’s successor.
“We had a succession plan for Eddie, just as there’s a succession plan for every
key role at the club, including mine and Ross’s,” Hopkinson said. “We activated the plan and I believe we sifted through something like 178 names. We had a clear set of criteria of what we want from the manager that succeeds Eddie. MJ fits every one and exceeds others that we hadn’t even contemplated. This guy’s a born winner.”
Hopkinson pointed to Jaissle’s trophy record and mentality as key reasons behind the appointment.
“I’m not going to tell you what he’s going to do at Newcastle because that story is still to be written,” Hopkinson said. “But let me tell you what he’s done. He’s won six pieces of silverware in his young managerial career. He is high-impact. He is high-energy. He has a clear vision of what it takes to win.”
The Newcastle CEO also dismissed any suggestion the club had an easy route to securing Jaissle from fellow PIF-owned club Al-Ahli, stressing the negotiations were far from straightforward, thus the delay.
“This was not an easy conversation,” Hopkinson said. “He was employed and delivering and he had earned the right already to be very selective about where he wants to go next and he’s chosen Newcastle.”
Hopkinson finished with perhaps his strongest praise yet for the 38-year-old.
“We have a shared conviction of what this club can be,” Hopkinson said. “The people here are going to fall in love with what he brings to Newcastle. 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.”
Do Hopkinson’s comments make you even more excited about the Matthias Jaissle era, or do you still want to see proof on the pitch first? Share your thoughts in the Coming Home Newcastle comments section below.
