Ex-Salzburg Coach Reveals: "I Had a Tumor at Five Years Old"

Since this summer, Matthias Jaissle has been head coach at Newcastle United in the Premier League!

In a media round in England, the 38-year-old has now revealed a "horror diagnosis" from his childhood: "I had a tumor at five years old," said the head coach. "Here in my neck, that's why I couldn't move it anymore."

However, the German survived the illness. "That was a time when I already learned a lot about life, how important it is to be healthy, and how grateful you can be to be healthy and to realize your dream."

Early Career End - Transition to Coaching

In his younger years, Jaissle tried to make the leap into professional football. However, at the age of just 20, he had to end his career due to a severe knee injury.

Subsequently, the German began his coaching career under ÖFB national team coach Ralf Rangnick at TSG Hoffenheim. Via the youth setup of RB Leipzig and as an assistant coach at Bröndby, he arrived at FC Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.

Jaissle developed rapidly with the "Bulls" and progressed through the U18 and Liefering to eventually join the professional squad in 2021. With Salzburg, he won the championship twice and remains to this day the last title-winning coach of the Mozart city residents.

Via Saudi Arabia to the Premier League

In July 2023, he made a surprising move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. There, he won the AFC Champions League twice, before succeeding Eddie Howe at Newcastle United this summer. In seven matches, the 38-year-old has recorded four wins and two draws.

Also with Jaissle at Newcastle is Tyrolean Alexander Hauser, who serves as assistant coach.