Michael Emenalo is ‘confident’ that he will be appointed as our new sporting director, according to Eurosport.
He is believed to be a big fan of new boss Eddie Howe, a manager he already knows through previous Russian owners at Chelsea and Bournemouth.
The former Blues supremo has been heavily linked to the role, with The Telegraph revealing last week that he held talks with Toon bosses in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
Liverpool chief Michael Edwards – who will step down from his position on Merseyside at the end of the season – has also been tipped to arrive on Tyneside, however the need to fill the role ahead of the January window could see us turn to Emenalo.
Our new owners appear hellbent on securing a heavyweight sporting director that will handle the football side of the club, allowing them to implement a vision that will run throughout the club.
Emenalo was highly successful at Stamford Bridge and reigned supreme for almost a decade as he oversaw a Champions League win and numerous Premier League titles.
He had a transformative impact on their Academy and brought the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Mo Salah to England from the likes of Anderlecht, Wolfsburg, Lille and Basel respectively.
His profile certainly fits the bill for what Amanda Staveley and Co appear looking for as their search for an appointment goes on.
Old Hat!
Joseph(Quote)
When we originally talked about a manager we were looking at Xavi, Zidane, Ten Hag, Simeone, Gattuso etc. and we ended up with Eddie Howe.
Now we’re talking about a sporting/technical director, names like Edwards, Campos, Emanolo, Overmars and Planos have been bandied about.
What are the odds it’ll end up with some guy from Scunthorpe or Exeter?
taken4mugs(Quote)