Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at RSC Anderlecht Stadium on October 01, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at RSC Anderlecht Stadium on October 01, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United have appointed Ross Wilson as their new sporting director.
Eddie Howe believes Ross Wilson will be a “great addition” after he was appointed as Newcastle United’s new sporting director.
Newcastle had been operating without a sporting director for four months after Paul Mitchell left his position at the start of June.
The Magpies waited until David Hopkinson succeeded Darren Eales as chief executive officer before triggering Wilson’s release clause at Nottingham Forest.
While Howe “wasn’t overly involved” in the process to appoint Wilson, the former Rangers and Southampton chief is understood to have been the head coach’s preferred choice.
Wilson is the third sporting director Howe has worked with during his four years on Tyneside. Howe said last month he enjoyed a good working relationship with Richard Hughes at AFC Bournemouth and Dan Ashworth at Newcastle, though tellingly failed to mention Mitchell.
It is perhaps no coincidence that Mitchell’s time at St James’ Park lasted just under a year.
Eddie Howe reacts to Ross Wilson’s appointment as Newcastle United sporting director
Reacting to the 41-year-old’s arrival, Howe said: “I've known Ross for a number of years, but like many people in his role, it's sort of a fleeting, ‘hi, how are you?’ And you don't get to know them on any depth, on any level.
“He's someone that's been around the game for a long time. He's had various jobs and done really well from the outside. But of course, working with him now, it will be interesting to see how our relationship develops.”
Wilson has been at the training ground this week, where he was pictured alongside Howe watching training before meeting the playing squad.
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Howe continued: “First impressions of him and his work are very good. Firstly, just a really good person. He's fitted in really well so far and he's met all the players and all the staff and seems a really positive person. I'm sure he can make a huge difference.
“I wasn't overly involved [in the process to appoint Wilson]. Of course, I wasn't totally away from the process, but I wasn't heavily involved in it. But certainly, I back Ross's appointment and yeah, I hope we can work together really well and bring further success.
“I've said I've always wanted that position filled. I think it's such an important position for the long-term planning. I'm working day by day, working on training sessions.
“The long-term planning is difficult in that moment for me so you need someone who can do that away from the stress and emotion of every day, really.
“I think Ross will be a great addition, along with David, the CEO. He's come in and made a really big impression as well so I think I said many months ago, strong leadership is important in all those positions. And now, thankfully, they're filled.”
Newcastle United transfers on the agenda... not yet!
Howe then confirmed he has held meetings with Wilson, but quipped that it was too soon for transfers.
“We've had meetings,” said Howe. “Transfers, no, not yet. I think I'll let him sit down and just get used to his new surroundings before bombarding him with that! But I think we will have time, of course, for all those key decisions and meetings that we need to and strategic planning for the future.
“But at the moment, I think it's important he just gets to know the staff, the players and gets an idea of how everything works. And then, of course, he can make changes as he sees fit to take everything forward and make it better.”
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