According to The Mail’s Alvise Cagnazzo, Paolo Maldini is one of the top contenders to become Newcastle United’s next sporting director.
He reports that the Italian legend ‘would jump at the chance to relace Dan Ashworth’ and is currently just ahead of Paul Mitchell in the running to take charge on Tyneside.
Maldini left his role at AC Milan – the club he captained for so many years – last summer and is thought to be on the lookout for an ambitious project in Europe after rejecting a host of offers from Saudi Arabia.
He was praised at Milan for his ability to attract exciting young talents and, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the 55-year-old is regarded by many as a ‘silent and competent voice of authority’ and is considered an icon by so many in the game following his successful playing career.
The Italian brought the likes of Fikayo Tomori and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan to the San Siro and is described as a ‘motivator and talent accelerator’ by Cagnazzo.
His report states that Sporting Lisbon’s Hugo Viana – who played on Tyneside under Sir Bobby – also features on our shortlist alongside Benfica’s Rui Pedro and former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto, but it’s believed Maldini and Mitchell currently top our search from recruiters Odgers Berndston.
Could Paolo Maldini be the right man for Newcastle? The former AC Milan sporting director has excelled in the transfer market, is well regarded by his peers… and would jump at the chance to replace Dan Ashworth https://t.co/Pu4Bjetm9D
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) April 1, 2024
