Jaissle Confirms Malick Thiaw as Newcastle's Third Captain in Leadership Group

Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has confirmed that German international Malick Thiaw has become one of the most influential figures at the Premier League club, revealing that the defender now sits inside the dressing-room leadership group and serves as the team's third captain.

Speaking in an extensive interview published in Monday's print edition of Kicker — in which he also discussed German international Nick Woltemade — Jaissle singled out the 25-year-old for praise, pointing to both his quality on the pitch and his growing authority off it.

"Malick is doing an outstanding job," Jaissle said. "Of course, he's a fantastic footballer, but he also has a significant influence on the team. He's part of our leadership group and our third captain."

A leader in a young, rebuilding squad

The remarks underline Thiaw's standing at St James' Park, where Newcastle are undergoing a significant rebuilding process under their new German coach. The club has adopted a youth-oriented recruitment strategy alongside a more aggressive approach to pressing and attacking transitions.

Jaissle has described the project as a "Brave Vision", with Newcastle fielding the youngest team in the Premier League based on the average age of players used. Reporting in September 2026 noted that the club signed eight players aged 24 and under during the summer window, a strategy that places a premium on experienced, dependable figures inside the dressing room.

Thiaw's elevation to third captain indicates that the club's management values his contributions well beyond his defensive performances — a point Jaissle's comments make explicit.

The approach has not been without setbacks. Earlier in September 2026, Jaissle refused to abandon his blueprint after a 4-1 defeat at Leeds United, giving a blunt one-word answer when asked whether he might switch to a back five, saying simply: "No."

Form recognised at international level

The recognition at club level follows a strong start to Thiaw's international career under new Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp. The former Schalke and AC Milan defender has established himself as an important member of Klopp's national team setup, turning in an excellent performance in Germany's 2-0 Nations League victory over Serbia.

Thiaw's positional intelligence and ability to defend aggressively while maintaining possession have made him a key component of Klopp's more adventurous attacking structure, and his club coach believes his influence is only growing.

For Newcastle, the message from the top is clear: their German centre-back is no longer just a defensive option, but one of the voices shaping the club's new era.