Newcastle United fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new sporting director following the departure of Paul Mitchell in June.
Eddie Howe and his recruitment team were left to fend for themselves during the summer transfer window after Paul Mitchell dropped a bombshell announcement that he was leaving the club after less than 12 months as sporting director.
Mitchell’s time at Newcastle United can only be deemed a failure, having missed out on several key targets and failing to bring in any major signings during his reign at the club.
Thankfully, Newcastle made six senior signings thanks to some help from co-owner Jamie Reuben, who helped in talks for top players like Anthony Elanga. However, the window may have been smoother if a sporting director was in place.
An appointment is yet to be made, but a new report regarding Brighton has left Newcastle with only one person to offer the role to.
Ross Wilson in conversation during a Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jason Ayto set to take role at Brighton following Newcastle United interview
Former Arsenal assistant sporting director Jason Ayto was on Newcastle’s shortlist for the new sporting director role. Reports stated that Ayto was interviewed by Newcastle, but it looks like the Magpies have opted for Ross Wilson, who is currently at Nottingham Forest.
Ayto wanted to pursue opportunities away from Arsenal, and it looks like he has finally landed a new role away from North London, as he is in line to replace David Weir as Brighton’s technical director.
A report from the Daily Mail says that Ayto is now ready to take over from Weir after completing his duties at Arsenal, where he spent his final months as the interim sporting director following Edu’s move to Nottingham Forest.
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That now gives Wilson a free punt at taking the Newcastle sporting director role, giving Howe the negotiation expert he has been so desperate for.
Wilson has done a great job at Forest since joining in April 2023, signing the likes of Nikola Milenkovic, former Newcastle man Elliot Anderson and current Toon star Anthony Elanga.
It is believed that Howe already has a good relationship with the 41-year-old and is involved in the decision-making process for Mitchell’s replacement.
Eddie Howe will be delighted when a new sporting director arrives at Newcastle United
It is common knowledge that Howe did not get on with Mitchell at Newcastle; the pair appeared to have differing opinions on particular players, so the relationship was doomed to fail from the beginning.
However, Mitchell is now gone, and Howe can take his time and work alongside Newcastle’s executives to bring in the sporting director who is right for him.
Wilson appears to be that person, and Howe will be happy with that. In his latest press conference, Howe admitted he was ‘desperate’ for a new sporting director after a turbulent summer.
“I’m desperate for a sporting director,” he told the press on Friday.
“We need that person, his expertise, it is a never-ending network.
“I had a very good relationship with Dan Ashworth, a very good relationship with Richard Hughes at Bournemouth. We need the right man and we need the position filled.”