Jaissle Begins Newcastle Rebuild with Valencia Win, Elanga Scare Not Serious

Matthias Jaissle began his tenure as Newcastle United's new coach with a 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Valencia on Saturday. The German manager, appointed earlier in the week, saw his young squad overcome an early deficit at the Mestalla Stadium.

Filip Ugrinic put Valencia ahead within four minutes, but Newcastle responded in the second half. Substitute Yoane Wissa netted twice to secure the win, providing a positive start for Jaissle's rebuilding project. The coach, however, urged caution despite the victory.

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It was a friendly today. We will not smash the locker room now and celebrate a lot. We're quite balanced. We know what it is about. Now it's pre-season, and we're still looking to work on it. It's just a journey.

"It was a friendly today. We will not smash the locker room now and celebrate a lot," Jaissle told reporters. "We're quite balanced. We know what it is about. Now it's pre-season, and we're still looking to work on it. It's just a journey."

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It seems to be not bad, so we are pleased. I hope it's true, then he can start again next week. I was in fear, definitely, but now I'm more relaxed as the medical department is showing almost green lights, and there's nothing serious.

The match was marred by an injury scare for new signing Anthony Elanga, who was stretchered off after a challenge from Valencia's Jose Gaya, who received a red card. Jaissle expressed relief that the injury did not appear serious. "It seems to be not bad, so we are pleased. I hope it's true, then he can start again next week," he said, according to Reuters. "I was in fear, definitely, but now I'm more relaxed as the medical department is showing almost green lights, and there's nothing serious."

Jaissle inherits a squad in transition following the departures of key players. He has placed his faith in youth, with several young players making their debuts or impressing off the bench. The coach acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "Time is the key. They're young lads. It's never going to be easy in football, especially at the highest level, but we're here to help them." Newcastle begins its Premier League campaign against Liverpool on August 23.

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Time is the key. They're young lads. It's never going to be easy in football, especially at the highest level, but we're here to help them.