Paul Mitchell’s short tenure at Newcastle United will soon be over.
Around a year after arriving as Newcastle United’s replacement for Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Mitchell will leave St James’ Park.
Newcastle have confirmed Mitchell will leave as sporting director at the end of June 2025, bringing an end to a strange time in the role.
Mitchell upset figures at Newcastle for criticising their transfer strategy, while there were suggestions he did not get on with Eddie Howe.
Howe and Mitchell’s working relationship at Newcastle improved but it certainly wasn’t the most serene of starts.
Still, Mitchell leaves Newcastle on good terms with owners PIF, having helped raise money by selling the likes of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in January.
Ahead of his departure, more insight has emerged.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Paul Mitchell thinks Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento cost too much money
According to The Daily Mail, Mitchell made little secret of his thoughts on full-back duo Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
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Newcastle paid £32million for Livramento, who has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best young full-backs in the Premier League.
Able to operate on both defensive flanks, Livramento was excellent in the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle ended their long trophy drought.
Hall has had a different story on Tyneside. Newcastle paid £28million to sign Hall from Chelsea, although he first joined on loan in 2023 before the deal became permanent a year later.
After a difficult first few months, the left-back emerged as one of Howe’s most important players before suffering an ankle injury in March that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall prove Paul Mitchell wrong in emphatic fashion
It seems strange Mitchell would come to that conclusion.
Granted, buying players from abroad may offer cheaper alternatives but these were two young stars boasting Premier League experience with most of their careers ahead of them.
Manchester City now want to sign Livramento, which gives some indication in regard to his quality.
Furthermore, Newcastle were shocked Chelsea let them sign Hall, such was the excitement about the player.
Both have become England internationals and Newcastle’s success this season would not have been possible without them.
Frankly, they look like a bargain more than anything else.