Milan icon Paolo Maldini and former Magpie Hugo Viana are believed to be on a list of candidates drawn up by a consultancy firm hired to help the Toon fin a replacement for Dan Ashworth.
i Sport’s Mark Douglas has reported that, while Maldini and Viana are not thought to be the favoured option, they make up part of a “wide net” approach by consultancy firm Odgers Berndtson.
Viana played for the Toon between 2002 and 2006, scoring twice in that period. His move to Newcastle was interestingly, the first time super-agent Jorge Mendes conducted a major deal with an English club. The 41-year-old is currently director at Sporting Lisbon and played a pivotal role in the sale of Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United in 2020.
Maldini has played at St James’ Park as recently as 2013, turning out for the Milan Glorie side at Steve Harper’s testimonial.
Douglas reports that, as well as Maldini and Viana, the firm have contacted former Roman director Tiago Pinto, Benfica chief Rui Pedro Braz and former Monaco man, Paul Mitchell; who is seen as the favourite to succeed Ashworth as the Toon’s sporting director. West Ham United’s technical director Tim Steidten is also thought to be under consideration.
“The appeal of Mitchell is obvious,” Douglas said. “Given his Premier League experience and the fact that, as a free agent, he would be required to serve a period of gardening leave himself.”
EXCLUSIVE 🚨 Paolo Maldini and Hugo Viana are among the candidates to replace Dan Ashworth at Newcastle
✍️ @MsiDouglas reports#NUFC https://t.co/nCrd01JPpp
— i sport (@iPaperSport) March 28, 2024
Anyone but pinto
Porkpie(Quote)