NEWCASTLE UNITED ANNOUNCE MATTHIAS JAISSLE AS SUCCESSOR TO EDDIE HOWE

Newcastle United have announced the hiring of Matthias Jaissle as the club’s new head coach after the departure of Eddie Howe late last month.

Jaissle, 38, was mentioned as the new boss on the same day as the first reports of Howe’s departure.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice,” Jaissle said in a statement on Newcastle’s web site. “The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be.”

Jaissle’s playing days were spent largely at Hoffenheim, where he was a back. He started in management with Liefering in 2021, soon taking over for Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg, where he led the side to its first Champions League knockout phase. He won the Austrian Bundesliga in both of his seasons there, then went to Al-Ahli and won consecutive Asian Champions League Elite trophies.

“My teams are built on togetherness, hard work, intensity and a passion to improve every single day. I will bring full commitment, full energy and a determination to give everything I have to help this club achieve its ambitions.”

Newcastle have four friendlies in the next 12 days, higher-profile affairs with Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen, and Strasbourg. They opener their Premier League season at home to Liverpool on August 23.

Jaissle and his new club have a lot to do to hit the ground running, as Newcastle looks set to lose Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal after selling Sandro Tonali to Spurs and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.

What they said: Newcastle, Jaissle on hiring

(from newcastleunited.com)

Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson: “We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for.

“His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United. We believe he is the right person to lead the club into the next phase of our journey.”

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson: “Matthias’ leadership style and football philosophy are strongly aligned with our sporting vision. His teams play high-energy football and we could feel his passion during all of our discussions throughout the recruitment process.

“He has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve players, build cohesive teams and create elite performance environments in his coaching career.”

New Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle: “I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on. ... I believe there is enormous potential within this squad and throughout the football club. I am excited to work with the players, staff and leadership team to help take the club forward.

“I cannot wait to get started and will attack this opportunity. I give my complete commitment and total energy to bringing further success to Newcastle United.”

- Nicholas Mendola

CANADIAN HEAD COACH JESSE MARSCH'S MOVING PEP TALK | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

ALPHONSO DAVIES' AGENT HITS OUT AT JESSE MARSCH AMID KNEE INJURY IN CANADA V USA

Alphonso Davies' agent has hit out at the Canada FA after the Bayern Munich star suffered an ACL tear in their clash against the USA.

The left-back lasted just 12 minutes before hobbling off with a knee injury, which has now seen him ruled out for at least six months after the seriousness of the issue was revealed following a scan.

But reacting to the news, Davies' agent Nedal Huoseh has now spoken out against the national team in a statement to OneSoccer in which he has revealed that the 24-year-old was supposed to be rested for the game as he wasn't fully fit.

Davies' Agent Hits Out

Bayern Munich star out for 6-9 months

In a statement released to OneSoccer, Huoseh claims that Davies felt pressured by the national team manager Jesse Marsch to play which ultimately led to his long-term injury.

“I am very disappointed. Alphonso was not 100% after the Mexico game and it was planned that he was not going to start against the USA. On Saturday night the expectation was he would not be in the XI.

"As a captain I feel he was pressured to start the game by the coach. Alphonso is not the kind of guy to say no in those moments. He ended up playing and look what happened.

"Canada Soccer needs to do a better job managing these players, in my opinion. Alphonso is down and obviously really disappointed about this injury.

'Thankfully he is in wonderful hands with a world-class group at Bayern who will take great care of him. He is expected to have the surgery within the next 24 hours.”

Davies recently signed new long-term contract with the Bundesliga giants to commit his future to the club after strong links to Real Madrid and Manchester United.

But he will now miss the Champions League quarter-finals against Inter Milan, as well as the run-in for the German league title race as they look to wrestle back the title from Bayer Leverkusen.

Davies will undergo surgery in the next 24 hours before beginning rehabilitation, the hope being that he will return before the end of 2025.

- Daniel Feliciano

ARGENTINA PLAYER RATINGS: 8/10 MESSI LEADS WIN VS. CANADA

Lionel Messi helped Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Canada in the opening match of the 2024 Copa América. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

 Argentina triumphed 2-0 over Canada in the inaugural match of the 2024 Copa América at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia as goals from Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez propelled the reigning champions to first on the Group A standings.

La Albiceleste kicked off strong, testing Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau early on to make the North Americans uncomfortable. Canada coach Jesse Marsch's side didn't back down, however, managing several shots to keep Argentina uncomfortable until the halftime whistle.

After the second whistle, Argentina found the energy that led them to the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup title. A key pass by Lionel Messi to Alexis Mac Allister in the 49th minute inspired the build-up to the first goal, allowing the Liverpool figure to connect with Álvarez to gain the lead.

Canada attempted to bounce back, but substitute Martínez entered the game with the necessary vigor to find the back of the net first and double the score.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina will now prepare to face Chile on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the second group stage match of the tournament.

Manager rating (scale of 1-10)

Lionel Scaloni, 8 -- The manager put out a strong starting 11, but his intelligence showed when making much-needed substitutions in the second half. Though Álvarez could've stayed on the pitch, subbing in Martínez proved to be a key factor in the victory. A good coach not only knows his strongest players, but also pays attention to the assets on the bench.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best)

GK Emiliano Martínez, 7 -- After a somewhat comfortable first half, the Aston Villa goalkeeper became crucial in the second 45 to maintain the clean sheet.

DF Nahuel Molina, 6 -- Struggled on the right against Alphonso Davies, coming up short against the Bayern Munich player.

DF Cristian Romero, 7 -- Paired well with Martinez to create, keeping the much-needed clean sheet.

DF Lisandro Martínez, 7 -- Two clearances and provided the backline with the strength necessary against a tricky Canada.

DF Marcos Acuña, 6 -- Defensively solid, but lacked strength when going forward on the attack.

MF Alexis Mac Allister 8 -- Incredibly creative on the attack, consistently threatening Canadian players before finally breaking through on that first goal. Excellent connection with Messi to inspire the goal.

MF Leandro Paredes 7 -- A sound defensive performance with two necessary interceptions and two blocked attempts. A necessary figure in the midfield.

MF Rodrigo De Paul 7 -- Defensively and structurally sound, saw a couple of bright moments on the attack but his long passes need fine-tuning.

MF Ángel Di María 7 -- Led a couple of key breakaways but lacked the precision on the front foot. On another night, he would've put away those opportunities in the first half.

FW Lionel Messi 8 -- His unique vision of the game inspired the key pass to Mac Allister in the build-up of the first goal. Otherwise tested Crépeau, but unlucky not to find the back of the net on the 1v1. situations.

FW Julián Álvarez 8 -- Despite a muted first half, he redeemed himself with the opening goal of the game.

Substitutes (players introduced after 80 minutes = no rating)

MF Giovani Lo Celso 7 (Di Maria, 68') -- A bit muted on the ball, difficult to judge his impact when Martínez outshined the substitutes.

FW Lautaro Martínez 9 (Álvarez, 76') -- It didn't take the player long to come into the game, spice things up and score his goal.

MF Nicolás Otamendi 7 (Paredes, 77') -- A decent performance in a short period of time, but again outshined by Martinez.

- Lizzy Becherano

JESSE MARSCH PRESS CONFERENCE