Jaissle Expects Tough Reception for Tonali from Newcastle Fans

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle expects midfielder Sandro Tonali to face a hostile reception when he returns to St James’s Park with Tottenham this Saturday, recalling a similar situation with Alexander Isak last season. Despite the challenging atmosphere and Tottenham’s squad changes, including the arrival of Nico Gonzalez, Jaissle remains confident that Newcastle’s consistent playing style can trouble their opponents in the upcoming match.

Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle anticipates a challenging atmosphere for Sandro Tonali when the midfielder returns to face his former club Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Tonali, who left Newcastle this summer to join Spurs, is expected to receive a vocal reception from Newcastle supporters at St James’s Park, similar to the treatment Liverpool forward Alexander Isak experienced during his return last season.

Jaissle acknowledged that while he does not encourage fans to boo opposition players, the crowd’s influence was evident in Newcastle’s recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool. “I’m aware he was a really important player here and he’s a huge signing for Tottenham,” Jaissle said. “It’s always nice to face old teammates so there should be special motivation. That worked against Isak so hopefully it will work for us on Saturday.”

This fixture marks Jaissle’s first away match in charge of Newcastle following a 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion during the midweek. The manager expressed a preference for playing in front of the home crowd but stressed that his team’s approach remains consistent regardless of venue. “I need to be honest and say I like playing at home with our fanbase but we will look to do the same job away. We will not change the approach. With our DNA and our playing style, we can cause any opponent problems,” Jaissle explained.

The Tottenham squad has undergone several changes in recent months, which Jaissle noted adds complexity to his team’s preparation for the match. Among Spurs’ new additions is Nico Gonzalez, who is expected to make his Newcastle debut after a £52 million transfer from Manchester City. Jaissle praised Gonzalez’s potential and readiness, saying, “He looks sharp in training. Nico is a smart player, has huge potential and brings quality into the squad.”

Newcastle will aim to build on their recent cup success as they face Tottenham away, with Jaissle confident that his side’s style of play can present challenges for their opponents despite the difficulties posed by the visiting environment.

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