Newcastle United are set to officially wave goodbye to Paul Mitchell as their sporting director, as fans ponder what his legacy will be on Tyneside.
The 43-year-old leaves St James’ Park just 12 months after his arrival, with Paul Mitchell’s Newcastle United exit coinciding with Darren Eales’ looming departure as chief executive officer.
Mitchell’s tenure will go down as the latest misstep behind the scenes, as 30th June marks the end of his time as sporting director.
While Mitchell was liked by the Newcastle hierarchy, he will be remembered from the outside looking in as someone who unsettled key figures like Eddie Howe and failed to make his mark in the transfer market.
Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe laugh together during Newcastle United's pre-season training camp at Adidas HQ.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
What Paul Mitchell wanted to do before leaving Newcastle United
Mitchell has had the chance to make his mark in the transfer market, and it was something he was hoping to do in his final few weeks on Tyneside.
After his imminent departure was announced, it was reported that Mitchell aimed to make a major signing before leaving Newcastle United. Unless someone arrives before midnight, that is not going to happen.
It means that Mitchell will not be leaving Newcastle United fans with anything to remember him by. Instead, they will reflect on last summer’s unrest, the comments about the club’s transfer strategy and the failed pursuit of Marc Guehi.
While PSR massively hindered Mitchell’s capacity to flex his recruitment muscles, his inability to strengthen the Newcastle United squad will encapsulate what felt like a disastrous stint as sporting director.
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New PSR cycle begins as Paul Mitchell leaves Newcastle United
As Mitchell departs, Newcastle United get set to enter a new PSR cycle on 1st July.
Given the work that Mitchell did to sell Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly, the Magpies should have much more wiggle room to spend – even if it is not Mitchell who is doing the wheeling and dealing.
With a frustrating June coming to an end, Toon fans will have their fingers crossed that July brings the new signings that the club so desperately needs. It has been reported that Newcastle are ‘closing in’ on James Trafford, with the 22-year-old currently the most likely player to arrive at St James’ Park.
After Trafford, it is unclear who could join. Joao Pedro is going to Chelsea, while it remains to be seen if a fresh bid for Anthony Elanga will be submitted. There is also the small matter of signing a centre-back, which Mitchell tried and failed to do with pursuits of Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov.
A new PSR cycle should bring change to Newcastle’s fortunes. Unfortunately for Mitchell, it coincides with him leaving the club.