The Magpies are still very building with their goalkeeping department still under construction
Lukas Hornicek
Lukas Hornicek is Newcastle's new No.1 (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United chiefs have given the green light to beef up their scouting department with a new role focusing on recruiting goalkeepers.
The Magpies' goalkeeping brigade is going through a transitional stage with Nick Pope currently second choice due to an injury to Ewen Jaouen but still set to leave in January or the end of his contract next summer. Newcastle signed 20-year-old Jaouen in the summer for a fee that could cost £24.2m while Lukas Hornicek is establishing himself as number 1 after his big money move from SC Braga.
Pope's exit will see Newcastle look to sign a new younger goalkeeper with an eye on the future while Jaouen, currently out for two months, and Hornicek get to grips with English football.
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But looking further ahead, Newcastle are eager to discover some rising talents around Europe and South America. United are now advertising for a Positional Scouting Analyst with a big focus on goalkeepers.
In his 12 months in charge as sporting director, Ross Wilson has restructured the scouting department, while two high-profile exits have also unfolded in the head of recruitment, Steve Nickson, who went to Wrexham, and Andy Howe, who opted to go after the departure of his uncle, Eddie Howe.
The advert for the new role reads: "As a Positional Analyst, you’ll deliver detailed video and live analysis on players in key positions across assigned markets.
"Working closely with our Head of Scouting Analysis, data team and international scouts, you’ll build clear, objective evidence that supports recruitment strategy and future transfer planning. Your work will inform real decisions. Your detail will make a difference."
The move will continue the fleshing out of the Newcastle sporting structure shortly after former Sunderland boss Jack Ross was appointed assistant sporting director.
Ross said recently: "I am excited to share that I have moved to the position of Assistant Sporting Director at Newcastle United Football Club."
Wilson had said on the club's sporting model back in August: "I had a clear idea, identity-wise, what I wanted Newcastle to look like, which was absolutely shared (by) ownership. The key for us was getting to the end of the window really feeling that identity.
"That doesn't mean it's perfect, it doesn't mean we're over the moon with it, but we're happy where we've got to, structurally and identity-wise in the squad, the coach.
"We're not patting ourselves on the back, but we have to move forwards bravely and strongly. There's still lots of work to be done to get the whole club where we want to get it to."
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