Eddie Howe has made it clear what Ross Wilson must do to succeed as Newcastle United sporting director.
It was announced on Saturday that Newcastle United have appointed Ross Wilson as their new sporting director, replacing Paul Mitchell following his summer departure.
Eddie Howe was desperate for a new sporting director, and now his wish has come true. Wilson arrives from Nottingham Forest, having done a fantastic job at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest did not want to lose Wilson, but now he is calling St James’ Park his home.
He has a big job on his hands, and Eddie Howe has already mapped out what Wilson must do if he is going to be a success on Tyneside.
Ross Wilson stands next to James Bunce as Eddie Howe takes a Newcastle United training session.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe sets out what Ross Wilson must do as Newcastle United sporting director
Howe has spoken to the media ahead of Newcastle’s game against Brighton. It is the first time he has addressed the press since Ross Wilson’s appointment.
The Newcastle United manager was asked about Wilson’s arrival, outlining why the club have just filled such an ‘important position’.
“I wasn’t totally away from the process but I wasn’t heavily involved in it,” he said.
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“I back Ross’ appointment and hope we can work together really well and bring further success.
“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 work going on behind the scenes that I can only be across a certain part of it. My main job is to coach the team. We need to make sure we recruit the right players and make sure we have the best systems in place to improve the football club at every level.”
Howe added: “I’ve said 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. Ross will be a great addition, alongside David [Hopkinson] the CEO. Strong leadership is important in all those positions and now, thankfully, they are filled.”
Three ways Ross Wilson can deliver what Eddie Howe wants
Howe has set out exactly what he wants from his new sporting director. Now it is up to Wilson to deliver following Dan Ashworth’s premature departure and Paul Mitchell’s challenging reign at St James’ Park.
Work closely with Newcastle United’s recruitment team
Newcastle United’s recruitment since the PIF takeover has been outstanding. That trend must continue under Wilson, but that will only happen if he liaises with the team that is already in place.
In Steve Nickson and Andy Howe, Newcastle already have people with an incredible eye for talent. Wilson must not dilute their influence, which is something Mitchell did during his time at St James’ Park.
It is up to Wilson to work closely with Nickson and Howe, helping to ensure that Newcastle’s outstanding recruitment record only gets better.
Ross Wilson must hand out key Newcastle United contracts
While transfers will not be solely down to Wilson, he is going to have a much bigger role when it comes to contracts.
That will be an immediate concern, with Newcastle keen to offer three players new deals. Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman are all in line for new contracts, as the Magpies attempt to avoid a repeat of the Alexander Isak situation and keep their best players at the club.
Isak’s sale has boosted the Magpies’ PSR position, which will hopefully give Wilson the financial capacity to hand out those three contracts.
Botman’s deal is particularly important, as his current contract expires in 2027.
Help build the path from the Newcastle United academy to the first-team
Wilson’s responsibility extends across the entire club, not just the first-team.
Part of his remit will be improving the path from the Newcastle United academy to the first-team, which will help save the club millions of pounds in the transfer market.
The Magpies’ youth system has improved massively since the change of ownership, but it will take time to see the results of that improvement.
With talented youth players like Leo Shahar, Rory Finneran and Sam Alabi, it is pivotal that these youngsters eventually make the step up to senior football. That must either be by going out on loan or immediately being thrust into Eddie Howe’s first-team.
Wilson will play a pivotal role in those decisions, and will be judged on the number of players who graduate from the academy during his tenure.