Whilst Newcastle United will no doubt be prioritising bringing in some big players during the summer transfer window, new additions to the club will be needed elsewhere too.
With Sporting Director Paul Mitchell set to depart the club at the end of June, it’s also likely we see the club’s current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Eales formally complete his departure in the near future.
After announcing that he’d be stepping down due to a cancer diagnosis earlier in the season, the hunt for Eales’ successor has been quietly raging on behind-the-scenes.
And according to a new report, it looks like we may find out who the latest addition to the club hierarchy is sooner rather than later.
According to [The Mail’s](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14761503/Newcastles-transfer-plans-Howe-Isak-Paul-Mitchell-Craig-Hope.html) Craig Hope, Newcastle United are now ‘close’ to finding Darren Eales’ replacement.
He reveals that a few American candidates have been explored, with the club using a recruiters at sporting agency CAA to assist their search for a new CEO; who will soon have the job of finding Paul Mitchell’s replacement, should the club go down that route.
Hope writes: “A chief executive to replace Darren Eales, who is stepping down on health grounds, is said to be close, and we understand a recruitment arm of sports agency CAA have been leading the search. Some American names have been explored.”
Though Hope doesn’t mention any candidates explicitly, the hint that we’re looking at an American CEO could rule out current Manchester United COO Colette Roche, who we have been linked with recently, although it’s not clear who is in pole position to land the job.
And for those unaware, CAA are the current representatives of Toon trio Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Will Osula, so we can expect them to have at least some understanding of what kind of individual we’re looking for in the role.
Even though reports indicate that the club has anticipated the departures of Mitchell and Eales for some time, there’s no doubt that news like this would inspire doubts over how efficiently and effectively we act in the transfer market.
To some onlookers, they may look at the current hierarchy and question the Newcastle project and how attractive the prospect of being a CEO or Sporting Director really is on Tyneside.
But Hope perfectly surmises that despite these off-the-field negotiations and changes, the Newcastle project roars on thanks to our on-field success and quality.
“But Newcastle need senior leadership now, not next week. This is the dichotomy that exists inside the club. For as long as Howe and his team continue to shine, the spotlight is kept off other parts of the business.”
So regardless of who comes in, be it Roche, an American or an outside candidate to become CEO, as long as Howe is getting the business done with his side, then there’s nothing for us fans to be overly worried or concerned about.