Matthias Jaissle is coming under increasing pressure at Newcastle United following Monday night’s defeat to Everton, with questions being raised about his future at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency under the German, whose high-intensity approach has proved to be anything but so far.
Jaissle was frustrated after the Everton defeat, admitting that his players had failed to implement the approach they had worked on in training.
“There is big frustration & disappointment. We could not not transfer what we saw in the week, training in a high level. Since the start of the game, not much was seen. That is difficult to understand.
“We were not brave enough to break the line and play on the ground. We saw it in training, but there was almost nothing to see from these aspects in the game.”
The Newcastle boss also accepted responsibility for his side’s inability to execute their game plan.
“We need to analyse this in depth, why we could not start the game how we planned. I’m responsible for that, to make it work.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was equally concerned, suggesting Newcastle could be facing a difficult season.
“I fear a little for Newcastle,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “They have a young manager and young players. You are always going to question the manager when the team is not winning.
“I think it is going to be a tough season. At home, especially, it feels flat and boring, and I never expected to say about Jaissle’s Newcastle. You expected it to be front-footed and exciting, coming from the Red Bull model.”
PIF chief holds Newcastle meetings as Jaissle faces crucial fixtures
According to Mark Douglas of The i Paper, Jacobo Solis, PIF’s head of European investments and an influential Newcastle board member, is currently on Tyneside to conduct meetings.
His presence comes at a challenging time for the club’s hierarchy, although Douglas reports that the message from those at the top is that there will be no panic over Jaissle’s position.
The upcoming fixture list certainly offers little respite, however, and the report suggests the Tyne-Wear derby on December 6 could ultimately decide the manager’s fate.
Newcastle travel to Fulham on Saturday before the international break, after which they face title favourites Arsenal, high-flying Brighton and a desperate Manchester United side.
Douglas suggests that should results fail to improve during that period, the Sunderland clash at the beginning of December could be the ‘red letter day’ for Jaissle, and it’s hard to envisage PIF standing by their man should they capitulate at St. James’ Park against their greatest rivals.
Newcastle’s transfer concern adds to Jaissle pressure
Another issue facing Newcastle’s hierarchy is the lack of involvement for several summer signings, despite significant investment in the squad.
|
Player |
Previous Club |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Nico Gonzalez |
Man City |
£52m |
|
Matias Fernandez-Pardo |
LOSC Lille |
£51m |
|
Bazoumana Toure |
Hoffenheim |
£42m |
|
Aladji Bamba |
Monaco |
£34m |
|
Amar Dedic |
Benfica |
£29.5m |
|
Lukas Hornicek |
Braga |
£25.7m |
|
Ewen Jaouen |
Stade Reims |
£24m |
|
Sean Steur |
Ajax |
£23m |
|
Ousmane Diabaté |
Gençlerbirliği |
£3m |
Sporting director Ross Wilson oversaw an extensive rebuild, but some of his biggest recruits have struggled to make an impact under Jaissle, who has come under criticism from fans for not trusting the impressive Sean Steur.
Aladji Bamba meanwhile was reportedly considered ready for first-team football during the summer, but has barely featured.
For now, there appears to be no desire from PIF to make sweeping changes, but with a difficult run of fixtures ahead, Jaissle faces a crucial period in his Newcastle tenure.
