Published Jul 30, 2026, 7:40 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years.

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to clinch his first job in journalism at Snack Media, now Valnet.

Emilio has written for a host of the company's biggest past and current football news websites - Vital Football, The Transfer Tavern and Football FanCast. 

Emilio's strengths include the intricacies of football transfers, while he particularly enjoys writing about the business side of football. He has covered Tottenham Hotspur on a weekly basis for a number of years now, developing a deep understanding of the culture and what Lilywhites fans engage with.

In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Howe leaves St James' Park having transformed Newcastle from relegation candidates into trophy winners, ending the club's decades-long wait for major silverware with the Carabao Cup before guiding them into the Champions League on two occasions.

However, the mood around Tyneside changed dramatically after a disappointing 25/26 campaign, which ended with a 12th-place finish, while this summer has brought major upheaval with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali departing and Bruno Guimarães also expected to leave.

Reports today suggest Howe informed the club of his wish to take a break from management, with Newcastle already well advanced in their plans to replace him.

Replacing a manager as successful as Howe is never straightforward, but Newcastle appear to have identified one of Europe's brightest young coaches in Matthias Jaissle.

The 38-year-old German built his reputation within the Red Bull coaching network before taking charge of Red Bull Salzburg, where he won two Austrian league titles while earning widespread praise for his progressive football and player development.

His work in Austria quickly attracted interest from across Europe, including Celtic, before he accepted the challenge of moving to Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli in 2023.

That decision surprised many at the time, but Jaissle has enhanced his reputation in the Saudi Pro League.

Working with experienced international stars including Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessié, he showed he could manage big personalities while also delivering success, leading Al Ahli to AFC Champions League glory and proving his methods can translate outside the Red Bull system.

The challenge at St. James', though, will be enormous.

Taking over only weeks before the Premier League season begins is difficult enough, but Jaissle is also arriving during one of Newcastle's most uncertain summers, with several senior players already gone and more departures still possible.

Maintaining standards while implementing a brand-new approach will be one of his biggest early tests, but supporters have reason to be optimistic about Jaissle's imminent arrival.

REUTERS/Stringer

Sky Sports TV pundit and talkSPORT commentator Kevin Hatchard believes Newcastle have still made an impressive appointment despite the circumstances.

Writing on X, Hatchard said Newcastle had "done well" to secure Jaissle after his outstanding work in Saudi and previously with Salzburg.

He highlighted the German's fast, vertical style of football and described it as being rooted in the Red Bull philosophy that has become increasingly influential across Europe.

This style was also popularised there by Ralf Rangnick, who was once caretaker manager at Man United, with Jaissle taking real tactical inspiration from the 68-year-old as he deploys his teams to play in a similar mould.

Howe leaves as one of the most successful managers in the club's modern history and will always be remembered for restoring belief and delivering long-awaited silverware.

Now, Newcastle's hierarchy are betting that Jaissle's fresh ideas, modern coaching methods and attacking philosophy can begin another successful chapter just as the previous one comes to a close.

Jaissle is also said to prefer aggressive pressing high up the pitch, quick transitions after winning possession combined with speedy attacks.

That style could suit Newcastle's squad despite the changes they are facing. The Magpies have traditionally looked their best when playing with energy, pace and aggression under Howe, meaning Jaissle may not need to completely reinvent the team's identity.

Instead, supporters could see an even greater emphasis on pressing, directness and younger players capable of covering huge distances.