Matthias Jaissle has hit back at those doubting Newcastle United ahead of the new campaign
Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United Manager(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s new head coach Matthias Jaissle has made clear he pays no attention to analysts forecasting the club’s drop to the Championship this season.
Several well-known commentators are anticipating a challenging year for United following a turbulent summer that saw former manager Eddie Howe depart, along with important squad members including Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier.
Jaissle took over from Howe in the Tyneside dugout, while half a dozen fresh faces have arrived through the door, with every new signing aged 24 or under.
This transformation has given Newcastle a much more inexperienced squad, and while optimism exists within St James’ Park about the upcoming term, concerns are mounting elsewhere about the club’s direction.
Nevertheless, Jaissle maintains he is unconcerned by external chatter and has emphasised that both he and his squad will persist in focusing on elements within their control during training sessions and match days.
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He explained that he has no knowledge of what assessments or rankings analysts have made of him, stating that frankly it holds no interest for him. He noted that this falls outside his ability to shape other people’s views, and that their methods are sound and they must concentrate solely on what they can affect, and that stance will remain consistent throughout their entire journey with this group of players.
In order to instil this mindset within the group, Jaissle believes it makes sense for them to steer clear of the pessimism circulating externally, and there certainly is pessimism. He observed that when you read the press, the coverage, and social platforms especially, the negativity is evident. So for their part, the task at hand is to concentrate on what falls within their remit. Focus on what they can control. That is their methodology. He noted they have a handful of days remaining to ready themselves in the optimal fashion for the encounter with Liverpool, and they can then perform to the highest standard possible at that point.
Newcastle have secured the captures of 24-year-old shot-stopper Lukas Hornicek and full-back Amar Dedic, 20-year-old custodian Ewen Jaouen, central midfielder Aladji Bamba and wide man Bazoumana Toure alongside 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur.
This overhaul has left Newcastle considerably younger and Jaissle has acknowledged he may occasionally need to shield his youthful squad from the intense attention the Premier League generates.
He added that it certainly helps when dealing with young players not to heap additional external expectations upon them. He explained that they are already carrying significant burden and generate plenty of pressure themselves by stepping up to objectives they may not yet be accustomed to at this stage.
He stated that they possess his complete faith, dedication, belief and respect for the path ahead of them, and it would be pleasing if supporters and journalists adopted a similar perspective.
Jaissle named Dan Burn as his skipper last week and during a media briefing at the weekend, the 34-year-old stated Newcastle would welcome the outsider status this term and transform it into an asset – something Jaissle is eager to maximise this season.
He elaborated that Dan leads by example and as captain he articulated that deliberately because he understands the reality of their position and Jaissle wholeheartedly shares that view. He explained that this can serve as a source of strength. He noted that he referenced this in earlier press interactions and believes there is a strong bond between the supporters and himself, and he is entirely certain they will get behind the team, combining with the players and coaching staff to generate this advantage and they intend to capitalise on it.
And when questioned about his optimism regarding a home victory against Liverpool this weekend, Jaissle responded with resolve that on home soil, anything can happen.