Newcastle United not only need a new sporting director, but one that’s prepared to get stuck in and stick around after a few years of chaos and constant change.
That has been public knowledge for over seven weeks now, with Paul Mitchell announcing at the end of May that he would step down from his role in a surprise move behind the scenes.
As we’ve known for some time now, two candidates who have been shortlisted and interviewed include Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson and former Arsenal man James Ayto, who was the assistant to Edu at the Emirates.
However, it seems Newcastle are finally close to a decision and expected to choose Wilson, with The Athletic reporting that the Scot is set to be offered the job.
Wilson has a ‘good relationship’ with Eddie Howe and it’s believed this has worked in his favour in the final stages of the recruitment process, with the Newcastle boss involved in the hiring process alongside PIF and Jamie Reuben.
The 41-year-old’s career has seen him work in several roles across England and Scotland, starting at Falkirk before spells with Watford, Huddersfield, Southampton and SPL giants Rangers.
As Chris Waugh states, the club believe Wilson is a sporting director able to create a ‘strong club culture’ and the ‘infrastructure needed to support a manager’, with stability essential and this approach deemed suitable given Howe’s hands-on approach to transfers.
Newcastle are yet to formally approach Nottingham Forest, but you’d imagine he is likely to accept any offer given his willingness to be part of the interview process up until the final stages.
Elsewhere, former Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson is thought to be one of the leading contenders to replace Darren Eales as the club’s new chief executive, while a new technical director arrived earlier this week in former Atalanta BC and Benfica data-expert Sudarshan Gopaladesikan.
Gopaladesikan, known as ‘Suds’, will report to the new sporting director in his role, meaning he and Wilson may be teaming up soon enough on Tyneside should Howe get his way.
Too little too late
Bill Hughes(Quote)
Bill – agree mate. This article isn’t even confirming his been got the job!!.
Pathetic management at NUFC to not move quickly to replace both Eales & Mitchell.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Depends really on how much Mitchell’s announcement caught the club out and how far the appointment is down the line. Based on Howe’s comments ( and let’s face it as fans that’s all we get to hear from the club) that he” got a text while on holiday and wasn’t previously aware “ it was a surprise. That this has broken before they’ve Approached the lad adds to the sense the
club looks dysfunctional ( again??)
The lack of comms, Howe aside, doesn’t help keep the emotive noise down from reactionary fans and bloggers
GR(Quote)