What Matthias Jaissle has privately said to Eddie Howe after impressive Newcastle start
Matthias Jaissle has reportedly spoken to Eddie Howe to thank him for what he has inherited at Newcastle United.
The 38-year-old took over from his predecessor at the start of August, and has enjoyed a strong start to life at St James' Park.
Howe was in charge of the Magpies for almost five years, and his decision to step down came as a shock to everybody involved.
He had been keen to stay in charge of Newcastle and put things right following a hugely disappointing season, but the key exits of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes eventually wore him down.
Jaissle has inherited a younger squad supplemented by fresh talent in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and the future now appears exciting.
Newcastle have opened the season unbeaten in five games, winning clashes against West Brom and Millwall in the Carabao Cup, and Tottenham in the Premier League.
Matthias Jaissle impressed by Newcastle squad
For much of last season, Howe's squad looked demotivated and short of ideas. There were players clearly keen to leave in the summer and the project started when the club was taken over in 2021 looked tired.
Under Jaissle, Newcastle have been restored and rejuvenated. The team looks hungry and dangerous, capable of much more this season.
There will be roadblocks for the German - key injuries to the likes of Yoane Wissa, Nico Gonzalez or Lewis Hall could prove hugely damaging.
But there is a sense of hope at St James' Park that did not exist in the final months of Howe's reign.
Yet despite the direction the club looked to be heading in last season, there was many things the former Newcastle manager continued to do right.
In fact, according to The I Paper, Jaissle has spoken to Howe to thank him for the squad he has inherited.
The German has been very impressed by the physical condition of his players, allowing them to hit the ground running and adapt quickly to his more aggressive style.
What has Jaissle said about Eddie Howe?
Howe will always be remembered in legend at Newcastle, and recognised as the man who ended the trophy drought and brought Champions League football back.
Should Jaissle's project keep improving, he will be recognised fondly for knowing the right time to step down, too.
"I had conversations with him (Wissa) like I did with many other players. Unfortunately, I can not compare with Eddie, that is something I will never do," Jaissle said this week.
"I give him the maximum respect for what he did here in the past. Sometimes it is on the players. They have highs and lows in their careers, this is normal."