Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has revealed that the two key roles have been left unfilled for too long at St James’ Park
07:00, 01 Aug 2025Updated 07:42, 01 Aug 2025
Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan (left); and head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Getty)
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has spoken of his will to get a new sporting director through the door before they are beaten by the clock in the summer transfer window.
There’s less than a month to do business for the Magpies now whether Alexander Isak stays or go, and Paul Mitchell’s office remains vacant at St James’ Park despite departing in May.
With CEO Darren Eales also absent on pre-season, a new supremo for all departments is required on Tyneside.
Former Real Madrid head of partnerships David Hopkinson is in the frame for the CEO role while Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson is admired by the Toon hierarchy. But Howe wants those positions filled sooner rather than later after a summer of struggles in the transfer window.
Howe, speaking in Seoul, said: “It’s really important we fill those positions as quickly as possible, but also with the best people possible.
“Again, I would probably urge the club to make the right decision over speed, because the long term is the most important for Newcastle.
“We are working effectively, albeit in a very different way. We’ve got people who are very actively involved at board level filling those gaps. So I don’t think we’re necessarily harmed by what is going on, it’s just the window and the transfer market itself is the problem, not workings behind the scenes.”
The new sporting director’s in tray would not only include some much needed additions but also resolving the Isak problem. Isak’s decision not to fly out for pre-season in the Far East is starting to have a strain on the squad.
Howe is also keeping an eye on the physical output of his squad with key men like Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier all rested in the 1-0 defeat to the K-League.
Howe reflected: “The first half we started well and then faded in terms of our attacking intent. You want tough games and we will have got a load out of it physically which is what pre-season is for.”
“We want to win and score goals but the most important thing is the Aston Villa game.”
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