Paul Mitchell lasted less than a year as Newcastle United sporting director before leaving in June 2025.
Marseille are reportedly considering a move for former Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell.
The 45-year-old remains out of work after leaving the Magpies last June. Mitchell lasted less than a year in the St James’ Park boardroom before resigning following the 2024-25 campaign.
The Gazette understands that friction between Mitchell and Eddie Howe ultimately saw Newcastle part ways. Just weeks after arriving, the ex-Toon chief labelled the transfer setup as “not fit for purpose” on Tyneside.
That doomed the relationship from the start, with Mitchell’s confrontational approach rubbing people up the wrong way at Benton. He left Newcastle having not made a first-team signing due to PSR restrictions.
Former Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell.placeholder image
Former Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell. | Getty Images, Newcastle United
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Marseille want Paul Mitchell
French media claim Mitchell is now a target for Ligue 1 giants Marseille. His stock on the continent remains high following spells at RB Leipzig and Monaco.
Foot Mercato claim Mitchell’s expertise in the European market has attracted Marseille, who are looking to replace the outgoing Medhi Benatia. Unfortunately for Newcastle, they did not reap the benefits of Mitchell during his brief spell at the club.
Ross Wilson replaced him in the hot seat but was unable to work during the summer transfer window. This left the Magpies exposed in the market, with a £250million splurge now viewed as a disaster and the root cause of the current campaign.
What Paul Mitchell said about Newcastle United scouting
Mitchell’s chat with reporters in September ignited a civil war at Newcastle. Reflecting on an excerpt from the meeting, some could argue the former sporting director has been justified.
"Should our scouting and recruitment be driven more extensively with a wider-reaching net?” Mitchell said. “It definitely should be because this is becoming a really nuanced space now.
“You just can't capitally fund everything every year and buy loads of players at peak age and peak price. It needs to be, and this is the responsibility of me, the scouting team, the recruitment team and Eddie, to do that, to look at that.
"Is it (the recruitment setup) fit for purpose in the modern game, with the modern challenges? Because other clubs that have maybe adopted a different approach over time, with more intelligence, maybe more data-informed than what we are, actually prospered in this window?
“That's where we have to grow to be now. It's kind of the next phase of the growth of this project. We have to become better in this area of expertise, and there's a skill.”
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