Matthias Jaissle began his tenure as Newcastle United head coach with a pre-season victory over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium — but he was quick to put the result in perspective.

"We will not smash the locker room now and celebrate," the 38-year-old said after the win. "We still have a lot to do."

A rocky start, then a resurgent response

Newcastle fell behind inside four minutes when Filip Ugrinic curled Valencia ahead, giving Jaissle an immediate test of his squad's character. The answer was encouraging, even if the evening was not without drama.

Forward Anthony Elanga was stretchered from the field after a rough challenge by Jose Gaya, who was shown a red card. Jaissle admitted he was "in fear" upon seeing Elanga go down, though the forward was later seen walking and the injury — a bruised shin — is not considered serious.

Newcastle kept their composure. Yoane Wissa came off the bench to score twice, while fellow substitutes Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur — summer arrivals from Hoffenheim and Ajax respectively — also caught the eye to seal the trophy win.

"Winning games always helps to gain confidence," Jaissle said. "The players did well and there was a huge commitment to see in each session, so they really deserve two days off and then we start again."

Building a younger, more intense Newcastle

The result arrived against a backdrop of sweeping change at the club. Former head coach Eddie Howe has departed, and key figures Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon have all left within the past year — Isak and Guimaraes now lining up for Liverpool and Arsenal.

Fans on the trip found dark humour in the situation, adapting a terrace chant to fill the departing stars' names with deliberate blanks: "We've got someone in the middle. He knows exactly what we need. [Sven] Botman at the back, someone in attack, Newcastle are going to win the Premier League."

On the field, a new generation is already stepping up. Harvey Barnes, at 28, was the oldest starter on Saturday. Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, 24, midfielder Aladji Bamba, 20, and forward Toure, 20, all made their debuts, while 18-year-old Steur impressed from the bench.

Malick Thiaw, celebrating his 25th birthday, led the side out as captain — one of the more experienced presences in what is a notably youthful group.

Jaissle built his reputation developing talent at RB Salzburg, and he knows the demands that come with that work.

"Time is the key," he said. "They're young lads. It's never going to be easy in football, especially at the highest level, but we're here to do that."

Pope left out, veterans retained

Jaissle's week in Spain also produced the first hint of a ruthless edge. Goalkeeper Nick Pope, a key figure under Howe at 34, was omitted from the squad entirely for the Valencia match.

"I had a talk with Nick," Jaissle said. "I really appreciate what he did in his career so far. He knows exactly the situation right now and we need to deal with it in the best possible way, but I always appreciate the player and the human being behind."

Experienced heads Dan Burn and Fabian Schar will remain important voices in the dressing room as Newcastle balance youth with the know-how required to compete in the Premier League.

Jaissle now returns to England for the first time as Newcastle head coach, with a formal introduction at St James' Park scheduled for next week. He already has one priority mapped out before then.

"For sure I will be visiting the stadium and getting my first impressions," he said.