Overview
- This week Matthias Jaissle publicly backed striker Nick Woltemade and framed his first days in charge as a fresh start for the squad.
- Jaissle promised to look forward, find solutions and place players where they can perform best rather than repeat past selections that hurt form.
- Woltemade arrived from VfB Stuttgart in summer 2025 for about €75 million, scored four times in his first five Premier League games and ended last season with 16 goal contributions in 51 matches.
- Coverage links part of Woltemade’s midseason decline to former manager Eddie Howe using him in midfield, a positional shift Jaissle said he will address.
- Jaissle’s record with Red Bull Salzburg and recent spell at Al Ahli informs his plan for an offensive, high‑intensity and aggressive style that will be tested in preseason fixtures and the 23 August opener at St. James’ Park.