Matthias Jaissle has only been Newcastle United manager for a matter of days. But he is already making it clear: he is in charge, and he will not compromise.
The Austrian boss, who succeeded Eddie Howe at St. James’s Park following the Englishman’s shock departure last week, has placed three first-team players on the transfer list, telling them in no uncertain terms: find a new club this summer, or spend the entire season on the bench.
Jaissle made the revelation during his first press conference on Tuesday. He did not name the players directly, but club sources have since confirmed their identities. For now, the manager’s message was loud and clear.
What Jaissle Said
In what many are calling his boldest act yet as Newcastle manager, Jaissle did not hold back:
“I have been transparent with the players, with their agents, and with the board. They are not part of my plans. If they stay, they will not play not one minute. Not in the Premier League, not in the cups, not anywhere. It is their choice: find new clubs before the window closes, or prepare to sit in the stands for the entire season.”
“I was not brought here to keep things as they were. I was brought here to change things. That means making difficult decisions early. I will not carry players who do not fit what we are building.”
For a manager who has only just arrived from Al Ahly, it is a remarkably bold statement of intent.
Why Some Fans Are Happy
A large section of the Newcastle fanbase has applauded Jaissle’s uncompromising approach. They see a manager who is not afraid to make tough calls, even if they are unpopular.
· “Finally, a manager with backbone. We’ve had too many players coasting for years.”
· “He’s been here five minutes and already he’s showing more authority than most.”
· “If you don’t want to fight for the shirt, get out. Simple as that.”
For these supporters, Jaissle is exactly what the club needed after a turbulent period. The Magpies endured a difficult Premier League season and finished 14th in the table. Fans have been calling for a major rebuild, and Jaissle appears ready to deliver it.
Why Some Fans Are Not Happy
But not everyone is convinced. A significant number of Newcastle fans have voiced concerns about the way Jaissle has handled the situation.
· “This is how you lose a dressing room before the season even starts. Handle it privately.”
· “You can be firm without humiliating players in front of the world.”
· “Now every club knows we want to sell. We’ve lost all our bargaining power.”
There are also worries about the wider impact on squad morale. If Jaissle is willing to publicly exile three players so early into his reign, other squad members may start to feel uneasy about their own positions.
While Jaissle named the three players, according to a sources close to the club we have confirmed the three players at the centre of the storm are Joelinton, Joe Willock, and Nick Pope.
Joelinton
The Brazilian midfielder joined Newcastle from Hoffenheim in 2019 for a club-record fee of £40 million. Initially struggling as a striker, he reinvented himself as a powerful box-to-box midfielder under Eddie Howe and became a fan favourite. However, reports have emerged that Joelinton has informed Newcastle of his wish to move to Saudi Arabia this summer .
The 29-year-old, who still has two years remaining on his contract, earns around £150,000 per week at St. James’s Park. His departure would fund a significant midfield rebuild.
Joe Willock
The English midfielder joined Newcastle from Arsenal in 2021 for £25 million following a successful loan spell . He famously scored eight Premier League goals in eight matches during that loan, setting a record for the youngest player to achieve that feat . However, his time at Newcastle has been plagued by fitness issues, and he was limited to just nine league appearances during the 2023/24 season .
The 26-year-old is now in the final year of his contract and will not be offered a new deal . Besiktas are in talks to sign him, and Newcastle have already given the green light for his departure .
Nick Pope
The England goalkeeper joined Newcastle from Burnley in 2022 for £10 million and was initially a key figure between the sticks. However, with the arrivals of Lukas Hornicek from Braga for €30 million and Ewen Jaouen from Caen, Pope has been pushed down the pecking order .
The 34-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been made available to leave the club this summer.
Potential Replacements Already Identified
Jaissle has wasted no time in identifying reinforcements for the expected departures. The Austrian manager is keen to reunite with Nicolas Seiwald, a defensive midfielder who played under him at Red Bull Salzburg. Seiwald featured 91 times under Jaissle and would provide press-resistance and defensive coverage in midfield .
The club has also added Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha to their target list as a high-calibre replacement . The 25-year-old German international is valued at around €100 million and impressed at the recent World Cup .
The Commercial Risk
From a business perspective, Jaissle’s public ultimatum is a gamble. By openly admitting the three players are surplus to requirements, Newcastle have signalled to every other club that they are desperate to sell potentially driving down their transfer values.
However, the club has already been active in the transfer market this summer. Anthony Gordon has been sold to Barcelona, and Sandro Tonali has departed for Tottenham. New signings include Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur, and Ewen Jaouen .
Jaissle appears unconcerned by the financial implications.
“I am a coach, not an accountant,” he said with a shrug. “My job is to win matches. If they stay, they cost money and add nothing. That is worse than selling for less than we want.”
The Newcastle board is understood to be fully behind their new manager, who arrives with a major job on his hands. With further recruitment planned, the funds raised from these sales could be reinvested to strengthen the squad for the challenges ahead.
The Bigger Question
For Jaissle, this is about more than just three players. It is about establishing his authority early and sending a message to everyone at the club: no one is bigger than the team.
As one Newcastle insider put it: “He came here to change the culture, not to tinker around the edges. This is his first real test. So far, he is passing it on his own terms.”
But the final verdict will only come when the season starts. And if results do not follow, Jaissle may find that the fans who cheered his boldness today are the same ones calling for his head tomorrow.