West Ham have issued a response on the possibility of bringing in Paul Mitchell after he confirmed his imminent departure from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Hammers News exclusive
West Ham are arguably facing a more important summer transfer window than last year – except this time there’s no Tim Steidten to do the deals.
Whether that is a good or bad thing will become clear during the three-month window, which opens on Sunday June 1.
West Ham were so unhappy with the way Steidten spent £155m on nine players last summer, he was sacked just six months later.
Steidten had previously been linked with Newcastle but was overlooked in favour of Paul Mitchell.
Transfer director Mitchell to leave Newcastle
After appointing Graham Potter in January, the Hammers brought in recruitment guru Kyle Macaulay while majority owner David Sullivan reprised his role as the club’s de facto director of football.
With a huge summer ahead for West Ham after a disappointing season and amid PSR challenges, many fans are concerned at not having an official direct replacement for Steidten.
West Ham were linked with ex Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth when he left Man United after a very brief stint.
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That was unsurprising given he worked with Potter and Macaulay at Brighton previously.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
At the time, West Ham’s owners said they were a ‘very happy ship’ and were going to ‘see how we do with what we have’ in response to the Ashworth links.
With one of the most important windows of West Ham’s modern history now looming large, has the big news from Newcastle changed anything?
West Ham have responded on the possibility of bringing in departing Newcastle sporting director Mitchell.
Ex Spurs and Monaco sporting director Mitchell has a good relationship with West Ham legend and director Mark Noble.
West Ham on possibility of replacing Steidten with Mitchell
In fact Newcastle recruitment chief Mitchell hosted Noble in Monaco to show him the ropes when he was first appointed by the Hammers board.
In a surprise move Mitchell has today announced he will be leaving St James’ Park at the end of June.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley (the women’s team manager), the players, staff, owners and fans,” Mitchell announced.
“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.”
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle added: “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.”
Mitchell only joined Newcastle last July but is departing by mutual consent without presiding over the acquisition of a single major first team signing.
With a technical director shaped hole left by Steidten’s departure, the huge window on the horizon and the ties to Noble, it seems almost inevitable Mitchell will now be linked with a move to West Ham.
Hammers News asked the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners whether hiring Mitchell could be a possibility.
The answer was emphatic and there was a withering dig at Steidten and previous West Ham recruitment chiefs for good measure.
Hammers board issue emphatic response on Mitchell
“No there is no interest in bringing in Mitchell,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News.
When pressed whether that is because the plan is to continue without replacing Steidten and for Sullivan, Macaulay and Potter to head up transfers, the response was telling.
“Yes that is the plan,” the West Ham spokesman added.
“The owner feels he has bought better players than both directors of football he has had.
“Sadly we have minimal ammunition to play with.
“We’re now trying to get a few players out so we can start trading.”