Jaissle prioritises development over celebration in Newcastle’s first victory
Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United defeated Valencia 2-1 in a pre-season friendly, but the manager insisted there would be no excessive celebrations as the club navigates a significant demographic and personnel shift.
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle secured his first victory in charge, defeating Valencia 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Mestalla Stadium. The result marks the start of a new era for the club following the departure of former coach Eddie Howe and several key players, including Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon. Jaissle, who joined from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, emphasised the need for continued work despite the win, noting the team's commitment after a difficult pre-season week.
Newcastle fell behind early through Filip Ugrinic but recovered with two second-half goals from substitute Yoane Wissa. Jaissle stated he would not "smash the locker room" to celebrate, emphasising that the team still has "a lot to work on" despite the win. The match saw Newcastle forward Anthony Elanga stretchered off following a tackle by Jose Gaya, who was sent off, though Elanga was later seen walking and is not thought to have a serious injury after bruising his shin.
The squad demographics have shifted significantly, with Jaissle highlighting a lowered average age and the integration of younger players, including debuts for Lukas Hornicek, Aladji Bamba, and Bazoumana Toure. 28-year-old Harvey Barnes was Newcastle's oldest starter against Valencia. Substitutes Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur also caught the eye following their summer moves from Hoffenheim and Ajax respectively, with 18-year-old Steur impressing from the bench.
Jaissle has a history of developing young players at RB Salzburg, which was a big draw for Newcastle, and he knows better than most what they need. "Time is the key," Jaissle said. "They're young lads. It's never going to be easy, but we have to trust the process." He noted that the players had a "hard week behind them" but showed huge commitment in each session, deserving two days off before training resumes.
Supporters adapted a chant referencing Guimaraes and Isak, now with Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, to reflect the current squad's uncertainty. "We've got someone in the middle," they sang. "He knows exactly what we need. [Sven] Botman at the back, someone in attack, Newcastle are going to win the Premier League." The result marks the start of a new era for the club under Jaissle, with a focus on integrating younger squad members and rebuilding the team's structure.
