Matthias Jaissle has tendered his resignation at Al-Ahli following a contractual dispute with the Saudi club, clearing the way for him to take charge at Newcastle United as Eddie Howe's successor.

According to Saudi outlet Al-Riyadh, Jaissle submitted his notice after the two parties failed to agree on the terms of a contract renewal. Specifically, Jaissle sought a clause guaranteeing his full salary in the event of dismissal — a demand Al-Ahli were unwilling to meet, offering instead a maximum of six months' pay. That impasse prompted the 38-year-old to walk away.

His resignation has not yet been officially accepted, and Jaissle formally remains in post. Al-Ahli are understood to be searching for a replacement, however, and his departure is now considered a formality.

Newcastle move quickly after Howe exit

Newcastle United entered advanced talks with Jaissle after Eddie Howe departed St James' Park on Thursday. Howe's exit came following discussions with the club's hierarchy after a difficult 2025/26 season that ended in a 12th-place Premier League finish — a sharp drop from the fifth-place finish that had secured Champions League football the campaign before.

The mood at the club was further dampened by the sales of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, while captain Bruno Guimaraes is also expected to move to Arsenal.

A decorated CV ahead of St James' Park

Jaissle arrives with an impressive record. He guided Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles and previously won two Austrian Bundesliga championships with Red Bull Salzburg — achievements that appear to have convinced Newcastle's hierarchy he is the right man to rebuild the club.

Newcastle have already begun reinvesting the transfer income from Gordon and Tonali, bringing in goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, winger Bazoumana Toure, and midfielders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba for a combined outlay of £111 million.