How a childhood tumour shaped Newcastle United’s Matthias Jaissle

Matthias Jaissle points to the side of his neck, indicating a physical reminder of a life-altering event when he was just five years old. The Newcastle United head coach confirms that he had a tumour in that area which restricted his movement, a period he says taught him profound lessons about health and gratitude.

“It was not clear that I could play football as a kid anymore,” Jaissle admitted. “That was a period where I already learned a lot about life, how important it is to be healthy, and how grateful you can be to be healthy and to follow your dream.”

That early perspective proved vital. While many young players dream of professional stardom, few achieve it, and Jaissle’s journey faced another significant hurdle. As a former Hoffenheim defender, he was once on the brink of a senior call-up to the German national team at the age of 20, only to suffer a serious knee injury that ultimately ended his playing career in 2014.

Jaissle refused to abandon his ambition, keeping his dream alive longer than medical professionals suggested. The subsequent darkness he faced was formative. “That makes you the person you are… with the belief you can overcome every obstacle,” he said. “Every setback also has a positive side. If you overcome these challenges then you become stronger, more resilient.”

This mindset accelerated his transition into management, though it was not initially part of his plan. Ralf Rangnick, his former manager at Hoffenheim, invited him to RB Leipzig for a training programme. Jaissle was set to rotate through various departments every six weeks, starting as an assistant youth coach under former teammate Sebastien Hoeness.

However, after just two weeks immersed in the coaching environment, Jaissle realized his true calling. “I didn’t move on,” he recalled. “After two weeks, wow, I felt joy back in life.” This decision set him on the path that led to success at Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli before his appointment at Newcastle.

At 38, taking over from Eddie Howe at St James’ Park was a baptism of fire. Jaissle faces a squad in flux, having lost key figures like Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali, replacing them with a younger group averaging under 24 years old. Despite a 4-1 defeat to Leeds United, he has won five of his first seven matches across all competitions.

Jaissle acknowledges the short pre-season made it difficult to instill his aggressive, vertical style of play, but he remains confident the approach works anywhere. He has already begun settling into Tyneside culture, moving into a permanent home and enjoying the local hospitality, notably paying for a supporter’s birthday meal following a win against Hull City.

“I really love the fans and the people here,” Jaissle said, demonstrating the gratitude and resilience forged decades ago when he first learned to navigate life after illness.