Read our 2026/27 season preview for Newcastle United as the Magpies begin a new era following the departure of former boss Eddie Howe.
After five years at the helm of Newcastle United, Eddie Howe parted ways with the club by mutual consent this summer, leaving behind a legacy of one EFL Cup trophy and two UEFA Champions League campaigns.
It looks set to be a transitional season for the Magpies, with the club hiring the little-known figure of Matthias Jaissle as Howe's replacement in the dugout at St James' Park.
There has been significant turnover in the playing squad too - something which likely contributed to Howe's resignation - as captain Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Tripper all departed for pastures new this summer.
Their replacements, alongside the hiring of Jaissle, indicate a change of approach at Newcastle this season; with the club targeting young, high-potential players from across Europe in their bid to reach the upper-echelons of the Premier League table once more.
Here we delve into the upcoming campaign for the Magpies, investigating the key questions ahead of the new season and analysing their moves in the summer transfer window.
Key question
Is Matthias Jaissle ready for the Premier League?
Eyebrows were raised across the football community when Newcastle acted swiftly to replace Howe with 38-year-old German head coach Jaissle, who was plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli before making the switch to the North East.
In hindsight perhaps the move isn't so surprising given Newcastle links to Saudi Arabia through their PIF ownership group, and Saudi chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who will obviously have decent knowledge of the talent operating in his home country.
Jaissle is a product of the famed Red Bull football system, which has housed a series of infuential coaches in recent years, including former Premier League bosses Ralf Rangnick and Jesse Marsch.
Where the 38-year-old differs from the two aforementioned names is his lack of experience in notable leagues before being elevated to the English top-flight.
Rangnick had managed over 700 matches across many clubs in the German Bundesliga before taking over at Manchester United. Marsch too had over 300 games under his managerial belt with Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.
Jaissle moves to the Premier League after little over 100 matches in the Austrian Bundesliga, followed by a three-year spell in Saudi Arabia, where he did admittedly achieve notable success.
The key question for Newcastle United ahead of the new campaign is how will the former Al-Ahli boss adapt to the rigours of a season in the Premier League?
Does he have the tactical nous and experience to adapt to a league that has proved the undoing of several young head coaches in recent years, something Ruben Amorim discovered quickly at Old Trafford?
The young German also walks into a dressing room which has seen a lot of upheaval this summer, with experienced and influential figures departing to be replaced with young, exciting - yet inexperienced - talent.
Can Jaissle adapt quickly to the Premier League, galvanise a young squad and guide Newcastle back into European contention? It's an almighty task for a young manager.
Key Transfer
Bazoumana Toure
The loss of Anthony Gordon is likely to sting for Newcastle United. The England winger was the Magpies' top scorer last season with 17 goals, and he was able to deputise in any position across the front line.
Signed from Hoffenheim for £42m, 20-year-old Bazoumana Toure arrives at St James' Park as a like-for-like replacement on the left wing, and the young Ivorian has the potential to be an exciting addition to the Premier League.
Blessed with electric pace, Toure was a breakout star in the German Bundesliga for Hoffenheim last season, scoring five goals and laying on nine assists.
The Ivory Coast international clocked in with more sprints than any other player in the German top-flight, something which could be key for the Magpies when playing on the counter.
Still in the infancy of his career, Toure may take some time to adapt to the increased physicality of the Premier League. However, he is likely to be given plenty of chances in the first team during the upcoming campaign, given the departure of Gordon to Barcelona this summer.
Toure is a notably talented dribbler and will have the sizeable frames of Nick Woltemade and William Osula to aim at when supplying crosses into the box this season. This, alongside his pace and acceleration, could see the 20-year-old emerge as a serious threat to Premier League defences this season, and just maybe, the St James' Park faithful will have a new crowd favourite to enjoy.
Breakout Star
Lewis Miley
Lewis Miley is no stranger to Premier League football, but this may be the season that the 20-year-old stamps his authority on Newcastle's midfield.
A product of the Magpies academy, Miley has been with the club since the age of seven and made his debut more than three years ago, becoming Newcastle's youngest-ever Premier League player in the process.
The young midfielder has made steady progress at St James' Park in the years since, without ever truly solidifying his grasp on a first-team position, mostly due to injury problems.
With the departure of former captain Bruno Guimaraes, there is an opportunity for Miley to cement himself as the Brazilian's replacement, and the England youth international has the ability to do just that.
To clock up over 50 top-flight appearances at the age of 20 is no mean feat, and it would doubtless be a higher tally if not for two serious injuries last season.
Whilst not a carbon copy of Guimaraes' combative playing style, Miley has plenty of attributes which can prove a success under new head coach Jaissle. His composure on the ball and ability to cover ground quickly should be a natural fit for the German's high-intensity system, and the youngster could be especially suited to the 4-1-3-2 formation, sitting as the pivot at the base of midfield.
Ultimately, Miley's progress this season hinges on his availability. If he can stay fit, he has a genuine opportunity to establish himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet, and even potentially force his way in Thomas Tuchel's England reckoning, much like his former team-mate Elliot Anderson has done in recent years.
What is a good season?
Top-half finish
After the Magpies' underwhelming campaign last year and the disarray during the summer, a good season for Newcastle United is securing a strong top-half finish in the Premier League, potentially even threatening the lower European places.
Ambitions could well be higher among the fanbase and dressing room on Tyneside; they would all certainly love a genuine push for European football and the top seven this season. However, given the departure of long-term boss Howe, plus the loss of key, experienced personnel in the dressing room this summer, those ambitions may need to be tempered in the 2026/27 campaign.
Indeed, there are many predicting worse for the Magpies this summer. Howe's exit saw many outside voices question if relegation was on the cards for Newcastle this season, however they remain outsiders in that market.
Newcastle have lost three of their most important players and missed out on a number of key targets this summer. Regardless, they have still recruited young, exciting talent in the forms of Toure, Aladji Bamba and Lukas Hornicek, and more signings are expected through the door in the closing stages of the window.
The players they have signed are likely to take some time to adapt, just as their manager will also require the same patience.
If Newcastle can finish in the top half, and perhaps embark on a cup run, that would make a successful 2026/27 season for the Magpies.
Bold Prediction
Jaquob Crooke
To finish in the bottom six
Following the takeover in October 2021, the infinite resource of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was supposed to revolutionise Newcastle United and yet, for a multitude of reasons, the Magpies enter the 2026/27 season in a period of regression.
Eddie Howe suffered the consequences of a disastrous summer transfer window 12 months ago as his tenure came to an abrupt end in pre-season, and with the influential Bruno Guimaraes moving to Arsenal following Sandro Tonali’s departure, Newcastle find themselves in a tough predicament.
There’s been more transfer disappointment, this time in the shape of Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi, and the squad at present looks depleted. Newcastle were in this position before; they can ill-afford to scramble around making panic purchases again.
Incoming boss Matthias Jaissle has a tough challenge on his hands to galvanise the group and, perhaps more importantly, keep the fanbase on side following a period where his position was intensely scrutinised.
Newcastle will have ambitions of challenging for European qualification again, but on current evidence, another lacklustre bottom half finish could be on the cards.
Will they be better than last season?
Darren Durber
No.
St James' Park wasn't the happiest place to be last season for Eddie Howe and his squad, the Englishman faced constant questions on his future despite finishing fifth and winning the EFL Cup the season before.
In the end, Howe secured a 12th place finish, steadily mid-table, but ultimately not enough to save his job.
Looking at the changes in the dressing room this summer, and the lack of experience that Jaissle has on his CV, it's hard to see Newcastle bettering that this season.
The squad is in desperate need of some experienced and talented additions. It is admirable to try and recruit young talent, but four of their five signings this season are under 21 years of age and none have ever played in the Premier League before.
There is still time for Newcastle to make some moves in the closing weeks of the transfer window. On current viewing, it's difficult to say for that Jaissle has the tools to mount a challenge on the European places.
Ultimately, it may be a season of transition for the Magpies this season. Alongside the loss of Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon and Trippier, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both 34 and their better years are likely behind them.
If Newcastle can keep their best players fit, alongside bedding in the young talent effectively, they may threaten the top half, but given their luck with injuries over recent seasons, it's hard to see the existing depth in the squad securing a top 10 finish.
