The Magpies are set to name Paul Mitchell's replacement with former Gunner one of the top candidates
Jason Ayto
Jason Ayto
Former Arsenal supremo Jason Ayto has applied for the vacant sporting director role at Newcastle United.
The Daily Telegraph have tipped Ayto as a "serious candidate" for the top job at Newcastle following the exit of Paul Mitchell yesterday. However, the Magpies are yet to confirm any executive appointments in the direct aftermath of Mitchell's departure.
Ayto left Arsenal at the end of the season after the appointment of former Atletico Madrid transfer chief Andrea Berta.
The suggestion is that Ayto, who worked at the Emirates Stadium for a decade, will have a closer relationship with head coach Eddie Howe.
He would be more hands on and closer to the first-team backroom staff than Mitchell. And one of his key tasks will be to resolve the uncertain future of Alexander Isak.
Ayto is currently on gardening leave from Arsenal and it is unclear when that period ends but Newcastle are operating with cobbled together transfer team of Howe, Andy Howe and Steve Nickson.
Ayto had worked closely under Edu who left to join Nottingham Forest earlier this year.
Mitchell had said when leaving Newcastle: "I'm leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales - someone who I have worked so closely with in my career - moving on soon.
"The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building.
"I'd like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and successful future."
Newcastle had said at the end of May: "Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United’s Sporting Director, will leave the club by mutual consent at the end of June 2025.
"Paul joined the club in July 2024, reuniting him with Magpies CEO Darren Eales, who had previously recruited Paul to Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.
"Due to health reasons, Darren will be stepping down as CEO in the near future."
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.