A section of Al-Ahli Saudi supporters launched a social media campaign demanding the sacking of Matthias Jaissle from his role as Newcastle United manager, following a continuation of inconsistent results for the German coach who abruptly left Jeddah last summer.
The fan movement came on the heels of Newcastle’s 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday evening in the seventh round of the Premier League, as a hashtag demanding the English club’s board terminate Jaissle’s tenure spread just months after his appointment.
Johann Manzambi scored the match’s only goal in the 36th minute, connecting with a João Gomes cross with a powerful header, while the hosts failed to capitalize on an improved second-half display. The loss marked Newcastle’s second consecutive defeat, following a heavy 4-1 setback against Coventry City.
Speaking after the Aston Villa match, Jaissle said: “We feel frustrated by the result; we wanted to give our fans a better outcome at home.” The German manager added: “We controlled the game, but without consistently penetrating the opponent’s penalty area, and we lacked right decision-making in the attacking third.”
Jaissle had issued an apology days earlier to the supporters who traveled to back the team against Coventry, after Newcastle suffered their second 4-1 away defeat in a short span—having previously fallen by the same scoreline against Leeds United. The manager acknowledged at the time that conceding eight goals across two away fixtures did not meet Premier League standards.
The intensity of the Al-Ahli fanbase’s reaction stems from the manner of Jaissle’s departure from Jeddah, as he chose to leave less than two weeks before the start of the new season following stalled contract extension talks to succeed Eddie Howe at Newcastle. Al-Ahli insisted on securing their financial rights, ultimately receiving an estimated compensation package of €11 million to finalize his move.
Despite the resentment surrounding his exit, Jaissle left a significant legacy in Jeddah across three seasons, leading Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles alongside the Saudi Super Cup, ending a nine-year wait for domestic silverware. Consequently, the current online campaign carried a blend of irony and schadenfreude regarding his struggling English venture rather than a formal effort affecting his future.
Newcastle remain stuck on eight points from seven matches, slipping to 11th place after suffering their third league defeat. Conversely, Al-Ahli, currently under Marino Pušić, sit sixth in the Roshn Saudi League with 15 points from five wins and three defeats—seven points behind leaders Al-Qadsiah, who have played an extra game.
Newcastle’s board has issued no official indication regarding any consideration of sacking Jaissle, leaving the circulated demands as purely a fan-driven social media push. However, pressure will continue to mount on the German manager ahead of an away fixture against Crystal Palace on October 25, followed by an EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Everton four days later.
