Just a few days on from the final day of the 2024/25 season, we’ve now received news of a major and unexpected departure at Newcastle United.
After less than 12 months on Tyneside, the club have announced that Paul Mitchell is leaving his role at Sporting Director.
As the full statement and Mitchell’s own words suggest below, Darren Eales’ departure in the ‘near future’ has played a part in the decision, which has been reached by mutual consent.
A club statement reads: ‘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.
‘During Paul’s tenure as Sporting Director, the club won its first major domestic trophy in 70 years by lifting the Carabao Cup in March 2025 and has secured Champions League football for the 2025/26 campaign.
‘Paul Mitchell said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley, the players, staff, owners and fans. It has been an honour to be part of the club and to work with some incredible people.
’”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.”
‘Paul leaves with the club’s best wishes and the Board would like to express its sincere thanks to him for his professionalism and diligent service.’
We’ll soon have more sporting directors over the past 18 months than first team signings in that period.
It was thought Mitchell was only just getting started ahead of a huge summer, especially with Antonio Cordero’s imminent arrival from Spain overseen by the former Monaco man.
Did Eddie Howe’s post-match meetings with PIF on Sunday play a part? Is this a sign of Howe’s power following an incredible season and previous disagreements after a tough 2024 summer window?
Or was this always planned to be announced after the season and a move that’s come as a result of Eales’ expected exit?
For now, who knows, I just hope this doesn’t derail the early stages of a massive summer on Tyneside.