Newcastle United have officially appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, signing the German tactician to a four-year contract at St. James' Park. The move comes in the wake of Eddie Howe's surprise exit from the club last week.

To secure Jaissle's services, the Magpies have reportedly paid £9.5m in compensation to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Jaissle arrives in the Premier League with a prestigious track record, having become the first coach to secure back-to-back Asian Champions League titles during his tenure with the Saudi Arabian club.

Before his success in Asia, the 38-year-old made a name for himself in Austria with Salzburg, where he won two Austrian Bundesliga titles and became the first coach to lead the side into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. His statistical record is equally impressive, winning 90 of his 138 games with Al-Ahli and boasting a 68.5% win rate during his time at Salzburg.

Jaissle on the move to Tyneside

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Jaissle told the club website: "It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United. This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand."

He further added: "The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project... I give my complete commitment and total energy to bringing further success to Newcastle United."

Jaissle's first test in English football will come on August 23, when he leads Newcastle out at home for a clash against Andoni Iraola's Liverpool.