Newcastle had been preparing for months for Howe’s departure

Eddie Howe’s departure from Newcastle United may have looked sudden from the outside, but the club says it had been preparing for the change for most of a year.

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chaotic

Sporting director Ross Wilson said Newcastle had planned for a managerial transition for eight or nine months before Howe stepped down in July. Howe had originally intended to continue this season, but the drained manager decided a break was in the best interests of all parties after nearly five years in charge.

Wilson rejected the idea that the Englishman’s exit was “chaotic” or “painful”. Newcastle had a contingency plan, he said, although Matthias Jaissle was not always certain to become the replacement. The club spoke to multiple candidates before Jaissle, who joined from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, emerged as the preferred choice to succeed what Wilson called a “legend of the club”.

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painful

Newcastle wanted Howe’s successor to preserve the foundations he had established, including an aggressive, high-pressing style. Jaissle’s record of developing younger players at Red Bull Salzburg also matched the club’s strategy of targeting players aged 24 and under. After Wilson’s first meeting with Jaissle, chief executive David Hopkinson told him he sounded “really excited about this one”. Wilson recalled replying, “you’re probably right. I think this is it”.

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you’re probably right. I think this is it

Jaissle has gone unbeaten in his first four games in all competitions. Yet only three of Newcastle’s eight summer signings, Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez, started the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, highlighting the time needed to integrate the new arrivals during what Jaissle calls a “transition phase”. Wilson said the manager had no specific seasonal target. Hopkinson said the long-term ambition was to “consistently and credibly compete” for major honours, while stressing that Newcastle must comply with football regulations after reaching a settlement over a breach of UEFA financial rules. The club has also set a goal of increasing revenue by 50% by 2030.

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consistently and credibly compete