Eddie Howe has spoken out for the first time about Ross Wilson’s arrival as the club’s new sporting director.
It’s been a turbulent few years in this position, with Dan Ashworth jumping ship for Man Utd before Paul Mitchell’s messy stint on Tyneside lasted less than 12 months, seeing him depart in June.
But, a few months on from Mitchell’s early exit, Wilson’s appointment was confirmed by the club last week, much to the delight of Newcastle United boss, Eddie Howe.
Howe has discussed his previous relationship with Wilson, talked up his experience in the game and immediate impact, revealing that the 41-year-old Scot has immediately fitted in well with players and staff:
“I have known Ross for several years; he has been around the game for a long time and done well. Working with him now, be interesting to see how our relationship develops.
“First impressions are good, he has fitted in well with the players and staff. He seems a positive person, a good person.
“I back Ross’ appointment, and I hope we can work together well and have success. I think Ross will be a great addition.”
Howe was then asked on Wilson’s involvement in transfers and new contracts, particularly the ongoing talk of fresh terms being discussed with Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman:
“I think I’ll let him sit down and get used to his new surrounds first before I start bombarding him with that (transfers).
“New contracts for Tonali, Livramento & Botman? That’s one that’s waiting for Ross. Those conversations will all be led by him. And of course I’m sure he’s all over that and starting conversations accordingly…”
Speaking to the media this morning, Howe also discussed the importance of securing a much-needed sporting director and hailed the club’s moves to bring in strong leaders in Wilson and new CEO David Hopkinson:
“I wasn’t totally away from the process but I wasn’t heavily involved in it. I back Ross’ appointment and hope we can work really well together. It’s such a big organisation that you need strong leadership through the football club.
“There’s so much to do, contract lengths, transfers, there’s so much to do I can’t be across all of it. We need to make sure we recruit the right players and make sure we have the best systems in place across every level.
“I always want that position filled. It’s such an important position for long term planning, you need someone who can do that away from the stress and emotion of the day by day.
“Him (Wilson) and David (Hopkinson) are great appointments and we need strong leadership from those positions.
“I’m really happy with the appointments that have been made and really happy with how everything looks behind the scenes at the club. I think we’ve got a strong group of people who are very ambitious and determined to try and take everything forward.
”All I ever ask for is support and help to try and take the leaps forward that we need. And we need to, because every other club is so progressive and we need to be the same.
”I think we’ve got a good chance of delivering that now. We have dynamic leadership and hopefully we can benefit from that all through the football club”
After an uncertain period following Mitchell’s exit and Darren Eales’ departure for health reasons, hopefully Wilson and Hopkinson can offer the stability, experience and expertise Newcastle United need to push forward on and off the pitch over the coming years.
