Prem icon backs Jaissle to shine at Newcastle despite Guimaraes, Tonali & Gordon transfers and says Woltemade will star

MATTHIAS JAISSLE will instantly get Newcastle fighting for Europe again despite the exodus of stars from the club. And marmite striker Nick Woltemade is the ideal man to provide the goals for a top-eight finish. Matthias Jaissle took charge of Newcastle United this week Credit: Getty Compatriot Didi Hamann, a former Toon player, believes he’ll enjoy an impressive first season Credit: Getty Odds dropped on Newcastle being relegated this week after captain Bruno Guimaraes joined Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon in heading out the exit door. Jaissle looks to have a huge job on his hands, especially with all three of the Mags’ outfield signings being 20 or younger, to improve on Eddie Howe’s disappointing 12th place finish last season. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Howe himself no longer had the energy for a rebuild and left last week. But former Toon midfielder Dietmar Hamann is adamant that despite the chaos it is a “very good time” for his German compatriot to take over. Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport via MrQ Casino ahead of Toon’s 2-1 win vs Valencia on Saturday, he said: “Expectations have probably come down a little bit because they went north very quickly with the Saudis taking over a few years ago, and now there’s a chance to go again. “Eddie did a very good job in getting them into the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup but now it’s probably time for somebody else to take over and maybe go that next step. “Newcastle fans will always have fond memories of Eddie Howe, will always have a place in their hearts for him. But it’s a very good time for a new manager to take over there now.” Jaissle took charge for the first time in a friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday. And after a week’s training camp in La Manga, he has just a fortnight to get his men ready to face Liverpool in a bumper Prem opener. But even though there are many doubters, Hamann is convinced they will be in the fight for Europe come May. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Hamann expects Nick Woltemade to shine under his compatriot Credit: Reuters He said: “I’d say a top eight finish because he’s still got some very good players in Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw at the back. And Joelinton is very capable. So there are still some experienced players there, even though some of them are still pretty young in football terms. They’ve got the capabilities to finish well. “What Jaissle did in Salzburg is he gave young players a chance. He gave them responsibility and, more often than not, they paid him back with performances. “This is the way to go. this is the way he wants to play as well, a very high intensity game where you need a pretty young team. It fits pretty well. “The players they bought have got a manager who trusts them. Jaissle is different because he likes to give them a chance. He showed that in Salzburg. So it’s a very good fit for this particular time at Newcastle.” Much-maligned club-record signing Woltemade arrived with a bang last summer before the goals dried and he was shifted back into a No10 and midfield role last term. The drop-off in form also cost him his place in Germany’s side for the World Cup. But Hamann has every confidence things will click for him on Tyneside. He added: “The way Jaissle likes to play always suits a target man like Woltemade. I was very surprised when he started the season so well and then disappeared for pretty much the rest of it. “There were reports that he’s not settled in Newcastle, which I can’t really understand because there aren’t many better football cities in England, let alone in Europe. “Woltemade’s a very capable player, technically very gifted and brings others into play. It’s very important to have quick players around him. He had that with Gordon last season. “That’s why there’s probably one or two more incoming. Hopefully, we then see the Woltemade we saw at the start of last season, not just for a three-month spell, but for the full campaign.” EDDIE HOWE'S RECORD AT NEWCASTLE EDDIE HOWE will forever be a Newcastle legend after leading the Toon to their first trophy in 70 years. But that Carabao Cup win, and two Champions League qualifications, weren’t enough to keep everyone happy on Tyneside. Here is Howe’s Newcastle record: Premier League 2021-22 – 11th (19th when he took over) 2022-23 – 4th 2023-24 – 7th 2024-25 – 5th 2025-26 – 12th Trophies won Carabao Cup 2024-25 Comment now