Newcastle United's sporting director, Ross Wilson, has revealed that the club had been preparing for the departure of former head coach Eddie Howe for nearly nine months. Although Howe had originally planned to stay for the season, he stepped down in July, stating that it was best for everyone involved for him to take a break. While the club had not expected his exit so soon after nearly five years in charge, Wilson emphasized that the transition was smooth, thanks to a pre-planned strategy. This led to the appointment of Matthias Jaissle, who took over as manager in October. Wilson explained that the club had been considering a managerial change for eight to nine months. While they were not certain they would appoint Jaissle at the time, he was always part of their planning. Jaissle, who was named manager in October, also stated he had been preparing for the change in leadership for that same period. Newcastle's leadership wanted the new manager to continue building on the foundation Howe had laid, focusing on an aggressive, high-pressing playing style. Jaissle, known for developing young talent during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, aligns with the club's strategy of targeting players aged 24 and under. Newcastle's chief executive, David Hopkinson, outlined the club's long-term goal of consistently competing for major honors. However, Jaissle has not been given specific performance targets for the current season. The club is aiming to increase its revenue by 50% by 2030, primarily through sponsorship deals, with player trades still playing a significant role in their strategy. Wilson mentioned that the club had prepared for the potential departures of players like Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, but they had not anticipated losing Bruno Guimaraes, who moved to Arsenal. While not all transfer targets were met, Wilson said everything that happened during the transfer window was part of the plan. Selling Gordon and Tonali for nearly £170 million was crucial, especially after the club reached a settlement agreement with UEFA for breaching European spending rules last season. Wilson expressed disappointment over the sale of Guimaraes for £75 million, which he had not wanted to complete. This summer, Newcastle signed eight players aged 24 and under, including the £52 million midfielder Nico González, who replaced Guimaraes. These players are all suited to the high-intensity pressing style that both Howe and Jaissle have emphasized. Wilson stated that the club believes an aggressive, vertical, and attacking style is essential for success and that they needed a coach to implement this approach. Ultimately, Jaissle was the top choice, with Newcastle paying £10 million to Al-Ahli for his transfer. Wilson noted that data models were used to identify coaches who could lead the team in the desired style, and Jaissle was the clear first choice.