Matthias Jaissle will take charge of Newcastle United following the departure of Eddie Howe.

Former Newcastle United coach Steve Stone does not believe his old club are taking a risk by appointing Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach.

The former RB Salzburg manager will experience life in the Premier League for the first time in his career after the Magpies agreed a compensation deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli over the last week. The German’s impressive work with the two-time Asian Champions League winners and his previous work within the Red Bull stable of clubs led him to become the preferred candidate following the departure of Eddie Howe.

38-year-old Al-Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle is expected to take over on Tyneside in the coming days | Getty Images

placeholder image — 38-year-old Al-Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle is expected to take over on Tyneside in the coming days | Getty Images

Jaissle will now hope to make an impact in English football and Stone, who was part of Alan Pardew’s backroom staff at St James Park, believes the new Magpies boss should be judged by the same metrics as any other manager and not by his nationality or lack of experience in the Premier League.

He told The Gazette: “I don’t think it’s a risk, not in the modern game. There are a lot of managers that come from around Europe and do really well or they’ve been assistants to big managers and do well. You look at Enzo Maresca, he was assistant manager to Pep Guardiola and he’s gone to Leicester and Chelsea and done well and now he’s at City. Some managers will come in and hit the ground running or some will fall by the wayside. But that’s no different to English or British managers. The fact we don’t know too much about him doesn’t mean anything because it’s about what he can do with the players he has.”

Reflection

Eddie Howe applauds his players (Mike Egerton/PA)

Jaissle has already got to work with the players he inherited from Howe after linking up with the Magpies squad that are taking the latest steps in the preparation for the new season with a training camp in Spain. Reports in the aftermath of Howe’s departure on Friday have suggested the now-former United manager will take a break from football before assessing his options for the future.

Stone believes Howe has created some ‘amazing memories’ for the Magpies and their supporters - but stressed the former Bournemouth boss may have felt it was the right time for a parting of the ways.

He said: “You know Eddie is a meticulous worker, he’s a student of the game and he gives his all. Eventually, it does take its toll on managers and coaches within the game and Eddie may have felt this was the right time to leave the football club. Every Newcastle fan and every football fan will realise that what he’s done for the football club, keeping them up in the first season, two Champions League campaigns, a cup final and another cup final that they won, he’s made some amazing memories for the club. That is what he will be remembered for, I think he knows that and supporters know that. It’s a time for reflection for Eddie, for supporters and for the club - but in football, you have to move.”

Stone was talking after taking part in the ‘Let’s Kick Diabetes’ charity match at South Shields FC. The fundraising target of £10,000 has now been surpassed but donations can still be made here.

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