Jason Tindall, Paul Mitchell and Darren Eales at Brighton
Jason Tindall, Paul Mitchell and Darren Eales at Brighton(Image: Iain Buist)
It's been almost seven days since the shock announcement that Paul Mitchell will be standing down from his role as Newcastle United sporting director.
The bombshell news, which arrived just 48 hours after Newcastle had clinched a place in the Champions League and Eddie Howe held transfer talks with PIF, sent murmurs around Tyneside about the impact it could have on the club's recruitment this summer.
Mitchell has had a difficult 12 months on the transfer front. He tried to sign Marc Guehi a year ago, only for Crystal Palace to reject several bids he made. In the end, Guehi remained in London.
Then came his comments about Newcastle's transfer strategy 'not being fit for business' once the window closed. They were remarks that angered Eddie Howe and caused frustration and issues around the club.
These were eventually resolved, and Mitchell played a role in January in securing the exits of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly for an estimated combined fee of £30m, money which will help United meet their PSR obligations this year. Newcastle didn't sign anyone in return, but they weren't expected to and Mitchell's handling of the winter window was seen as a success.
The sporting director, along with recruitment chief Steve Nickson, has already put plans in place to try and get a couple of signings over the line before Mitchell departs at the end of the month. A return bid for Guehi and a move for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo are top of the charts.
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But even if those deals aren't completed in time, Newcastle fans are confident that the club is in safe hands and the right replacement will be found.
And while the timing of the former Monaco man's exit may not be ideal, supporters believe it won't impact transfer business too much - although a sizeable contingent still have concerns.
More than 3,500 people took part in a Chronicle Live poll about Mitchell's departure after the club announcement, with the results making for interesting reading.
Asked if they trusted the club to appoint the right replacement, 69 per cent said they would in a clear show of faith in PIF, despite United looking for their third sporting director since the Saudi-led takeover, having also seen Dan Ashworth depart the club.
The results were slightly less comprehensive over the timing of Mitchell's exit but 53 per cent thinking he will be easily replaced and 47 per cent worried about the impact on the transfer window.
And there was a mixed response over feelings towards his departure, with 34 per cent happy and the same number frrustrated.
Paul Mitchell poll results
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