Newcastle United have officially confirmed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, succeeding Eddie Howe, after finalising his move from Saudi club Al-Ahli. The 38-year-old German, who had already been training with the squad in La Manga, Spain, since the previous Saturday, called Newcastle "an incredibly compelling place to be" as he takes charge with the new Premier League season just a fortnight away.

Jaissle arrives with a strong reputation, having won two Asian Champions Leagues with Al-Ahli and previously impressed during a spell at RB Salzburg, making him one of the most highly rated young coaches in the game. He inherits a squad weakened by the summer departures of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, and a club that finished a disappointing 12th in the Premier League last season, though chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson both expressed strong confidence in his appointment and footballing philosophy.