Newcastle: Matthias Jaissle learnt a lot about life after tumour aged five
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle discusses how surviving a childhood tumor and overcoming a career-ending knee injury shaped his resilience. He credits these life challenges for his ability to handle the pressures of professional football management.
Why it matters
It provides a human-interest perspective on how personal adversity influences leadership styles and professional success in high-stakes sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Newcastle United currently lie in ninth place in the early stages of the Premier League season
Newcastle United reporter Published 1 October 2026, 07:00 BST Matthias Jaissle points to his neck.
"I had a tumour when I was five years old," the Newcastle United head coach says. "Here in my neck so I couldn't move it anymore.
"That was a period where 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 follow your dream.
"It was not clear that I could play football as a kid anymore."
He did not elaborate further, but such perspective would be needed.
Jaissle, like so many, visualised one day becoming a professional footballer, but he was among the rare few to actually go on to do so.
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