# Matthias Jaissle's life lessons

> Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle overcame childhood tumour to lead young team.
- Title: Matthias Jaissle's life lessons · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle overcame childhood tumour to lead young team. Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle, who survived a tumour at age…
- Keywords: matthias jaissle, newcastle united, premier league, tumour, coaching, young team, vertical football, sports, Matthias, Jaissle's, life, lessons
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq7702n27ynxo
- Published: 2026-10-01T06:00:06.957+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: matthias jaissle, newcastle united, premier league, tumour, coaching, young team, vertical football, sports
## Tumour at five
Matthias Jaissle had a tumour when he was five years old, which left him unable to move his neck.

> I had a tumour when I was five years old
## Dream deferred
Jaissle, a former Hoffenheim defender, felt he was close to a senior call up to Germany but suffered a serious knee injury at age 20.

> He was just 20 at the time
## Career end
Jaissle retired from professional football in 2014 after his career was curtailed by the knee injury.

> he retired a few years later in 2014
## Coaching start
Ralf Rangnick invited Jaissle to RB Leipzig to sample coaching life behind the scenes after his retirement.

> Ralf Rangnick, his former manager at Hoffenheim, invited him on to a training programme at RB Leipzig
## Newcastle appointment
Jaissle became Newcastle United's head coach after Eddie Howe stepped down, with only three weeks to prepare for Liverpool's opening match.

> It was still a baptism of fire for the 38-year-old
## Team changes
Newcastle made eight signings, all aged 24 and under, shifting from an experienced squad to the youngest in the Premier League.

> Newcastle would end up making eight signings, they were all aged 24 and under
## Early results
Jaissle's team lost 4-1 to Leeds United in their first seven matches, but he remains confident in their potential.

> a chastening 4-1 defeat at Leeds United
## Key takeaway

Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle, who survived a tumour at age five, has led the club's youngest squad through early Premier League challenges.