Fabrizio Romano has put Newcastle's search into sharper focus. Matthias Jaissle is being described as the number one candidate to replace Eddie Howe, with talks said to be advanced and TEAMtalk reporting that an agreement in principle is now in place for him to take over at St James' Park. Jaissle is 38, and the race now looks less like a wide open search and more like a push towards one name.

Romano's update on the Newcastle search

Romano's wording was direct: "Matthias Jaissle, top candidate and in advanced talks to become Newcastle new head coach! He's the number one candidate to replace Eddie Howe, deal CLOSE." That is the strongest indication yet that Newcastle have narrowed the field.

The only caution is on the finish line. One report says the deal is close, while another says an agreement in principle is already in place. Those are not the same thing, and compensation details may still need sorting out if the move has a release clause attached. What does look consistent is the direction, which is towards Jaissle rather than a drawn-out process with multiple frontrunners.

Why Newcastle are looking at Jaissle

The appeal is not hard to see. TEAMtalk described the 38-year-old as a coach praised for his progressive tactical approach and his work with young players, with some even labelling him the "new Julian Nagelsmann". That is the profile of a modern appointment, and it fits a club trying to reset after Eddie Howe's five-year spell, which brought Champions League qualification twice.

The record on Jaissle's side is decent too. He won consecutive AFC Champions League titles at Al-Ahli, and before that took two Austrian league championships and a domestic cup with Red Bull Salzburg. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season, and their 49-point league return underlined why the board may want a different direction.

There is still a practical question around the move itself. TEAMtalk's line is that an agreement in principle exists, while the other reporting stops at advanced talks. That leaves room for the usual final details, but not much room for doubt about who Newcastle want. Romano has made Jaissle the leading candidate, and everything else now sits behind that.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →