· 5 June 2025, 22:00
**Along with the announcement of Paul Mitchell's imminent departure from Newcastle United was the reminder that CEO Darren Eales was also calling time on his stint at the club.**
Darren Eales had announced last year that he'd be stepping away from his role as Newcastle United CEO for health reasons after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
Aware that such an appointment wouldn't take place overnight, Eales has remained in his role for several months, but now the club are looking to bring in a new CEO sooner rather than later to give them time to get used to the club before the new season.
It has been pretty quiet on the replacement front, but the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14772919/Newcastle-hold-talks-former-Real-Madrid-chief-hunt-new-CEO-Darren-Eales-forced-step-health-grounds.html) have claimed that the Magpies have a preferred candidate in mind.
Darren Eales will soon step away from Newcastle United for health reasons
Newcastle want a new CEO in place before the start of the next campaign
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mail reports that former Real Madrid chief David Hopkinson is a frontrunner for the role, boasting an impressive CV that makes him a big favourite amongst the board after speaking with the 54-year-old.
> "Hopkinson has previously worked as Real Madrid’s global head of partnerships and, for 23 years, was chief commercial officer for the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Partnership, which included MLS franchise Toronto FC. He is currently serving as a board member for Canada Basketball.
>
> "Interestingly, he has vast experience in venue management, with Newcastle set to update fans on their plans for the club’s future home stadium. Mail Sport revealed in March that the intention is to move to a new home on Leazes Park."
The timing has us believing there could be some truth here
----------------------------------------------------------
While Newcastle have, rather unsurprisingly, refused to comment on the rumours, the Mail seems fairly confident, and now The Chronicle are regurgitating the Mail's story, so perhaps they've bought into it too.
David Hopkinson isn't the only person who has been touted for the role by any means, but there seems to be a growing confidence with this one, and given the timing, with Eales eager to step away, it could be announced sooner rather than later.
Then who knows, maybe we'll get that update on the stadium we've been expecting since "early 2025".