Newcastle United have been handed a bitter blow in their attempt to replace sporting director Paul Mitchell during the summer transfer window.
The announcement came as a shock to many fans who were expecting the 43-year-old to work alongside Eddie Howe and deliver the players he needs for their return to the Champions League next season.
However, that has been far from the case. Newcastle United are without a sporting director and are having to promote internally until they can find Paul Mitchell’s successor.
Many Newcastle fans wanted Steve Nickson to be Newcastle’s new sporting director. They have had their demands met by PIF for now as he has taken charge of proceedings for the time being, but he will move back to his head of recruitment role when a new sporting director joins.
PIF wants to appoint externally and are in the process of doing that. However, one target has given them the cold shoulder and is now set to join bitter rivals Sunderland.
Report: PIF given the cold shoulder as club chief rejects Newcastle for Sunderland
Florent Ghisolfi, sporting director of Roma, departs for Milan with Roma
Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images
Florent Ghisolfi rejects Newcastle United for Sunderland role
The search for a new sporting director continues on Tyneside after a new development which is sure to dampen the spirits of the fanbase.
Florent Ghisolfi has a great reputation around Europe after spells at Lens, Nice and Roma. He has proved to be a success in every role he has been at, and now he is moving to the Premier League.
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In a late-night report from The Athletic, David Ornstein reported that Sunderland are close to appointing Ghisolfi as their new director of football. The report adds that Ghisolfi had interest from Italy, England, and Saudi Arabia before eventually agreeing to join the Black Cats.
However, in a since-deleted line in the article, Ornstein said that Ghisolfi rejected the opportunity to join Newcastle as their new sporting director for Sunderland. The belief is that working with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is what could have swayed his decision. The young football club owner has connections in France, thus building up a good reputation with key figures at different clubs.
Ghisolfi is credited for signing players who have gone on to be sold for huge profit down the line, with players like Seko Fofana and Enzo Le Fee on his resume.
Newcastle United must not rush their new sporting director appointment
It is clear that the summer transfer window will be slightly different than Newcastle fans expected due to Mitchell’s departure, but the club must rally on without him and bring the players they desperately need for next season.
Howe has done a brilliant job in the circumstances, a job that very few others could have done in a similar position. The fact he has qualified for the Champions League and won a major trophy without signing anyone for almost two years must be applauded.
The 47-year-old also did it all while there was turmoil off the pitch. Dan Ashworth left for Man United, and Newcastle’s PSR situation was at breaking point. They managed to steer the ship and get Newcastle into daylight, but they need to make sure that the next big decisions they make on staff appointments are ones that will last.
Whoever succeeds Mitchell has a big job on their hands at Newcastle, so PIF must get the next appointment right.