An update has arrived this afternoon on Newcastle’s plans to appoint a new sporting director.
After an announcement in late May that Paul Mitchell would step down from his role at the end of June, our former ‘transfer expert’ is no longer in position at St James’ Park.
This leaves the club in need of a replacement, and it’s believed that recruitment company Nolan Partners have been leading the club’s search for Mitchell’s successor over the past month.
Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson has been heavily linked with the job, but The Telegraph report today that Jason Ayto is now a ‘serious candidate’ for the role.
The 40-year-old is now considered a ‘prime contender’ for the vacancy on Tyneside, although he does have admirers from other Premier League clubs.
Ayto is currently out of work, but started his time at Arsenal in a scouting role from 2014 to 2021, before a promotion to chief scout in 2021.
Two years on, he was promoted to an assistant sporting director role in 2023 before leaving the club just last month following the arrival of Andrea Berta.
During that decade at the Emirates, Ayto has worked closely with Mikel Arteta and alongside former director of football Edu, playing a key role in several transfers, including a recent move for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
Discussing a potential move to Newcastle should he land the job, The Telegraph state: ‘His role at Newcastle would be on recruitment of players for Eddie Howe, contracts for existing players and working closely with the manager on long-term strategy for the team.’
Is the obvious answer not to just give it to Steve Nickson.
He is qualified to do the job and has been involved in all the transfers since the takeover.
Sharpy17(Quote)