After Dan Ashworth asked to leave and was placed on gardening leave, the question for Newcastle United is who do they replace their sporting director with? Do they promote from within or go big name hunting?
The case for promoting from within lies firmly at the feet of head of recruitment Steve Nickson and evidence suggests his ascension could prove an astute move.
Though such an appointment would not have the stardust some fans crave, Nickson would offer continuity and stability.
Newcastle’s transfer policy so far has been steady and effective. Throughout, Nickson’s depth of knowledge and relationship with agents has been pivotal in identifying and negotiating signings such as Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Even at the next stage, when it came to adding Everton‘s Anthony Gordon and the clandestine operation around Alexandar Isak’s arrival from Real Sociedad, it was Nickson who was heavily involved as the point man and negotiator.
Dan Ashworth has asked to leave Newcastle amid interest from Manchester United
Newcastle will have to find a new sporting director with Ashworth now on gardening leave
Current head of recruitment Steve Nickson (centre right) has played a key role at Newcastle
Having joined the club in 2014 as their U21s scout there is recognition that he knows the profile of player to suit Newcastle’s requirements. Even former boss Steve Bruce admitted that Nickson tried to convince him to sign Moises Caicedo for £4million before Brighton beat them to it.
The candidates from outside the club have similarities in identifying young talent for re-sale value and those who can hit the ground running.
Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes, a candidate for the post that will arise at Liverpool this summer, is an early contender who has worked with manager Eddie Howe previously and is expected to depart the south coast club at the end of the season.
At 44, the former Scotland international is viewed as a sporting director on the rise and is well regarded by the likes of former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards, who was invited to return to Anfield last month. Edwards himself does not wish to return to football in a sporting director role though Mail Sport understands he would consider one of a general manager or chief executive.
Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes is on Liverpool’s radar but is another possible Toon target
Michael Edwards (left) was a success at Liverpool but doesn’t wish to be a sporting director
At 39, Tiago Pinto is younger than Hughes but has more international experience. The Portuguese forged a strong reputation at Benfica where he helped bring in £250million selling talents such as Ederson and Ruben Dias to Manchester City plus Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid. He is available after three years at Roma where he managed to keep the peace alongside Jose Mourinho and has made no secret of his dream to work in the Premier League. He was approached by Tottenham last summer and has been heavily linked with Liverpool also
Paul Mitchell’s links with Manchester United were viewed as a red herring around the club but he has good experience of the domestic and foreign markets.
After spells with MK Dons and Southampton, the 42-year-old had four years at Spurs where he helped recruit Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min. He then worked with Red Bull Leipzig before switching to Monaco and kept them competitive after they lost a number of homegrown stars. This month, he was earmarked as a candidate to replace Pinto at Roma but is understood to be keen on a return to the Premier League should the right role arise.
Other contenders will no doubt include Brighton’s recruitment guru Sam Jewell, a target for Chelsea, and technical director David Weir.
Tiago Pinto (left) and Paul Mitchell are two candidates who want a Premier League club
Brighton’s recruitment guru Sam Jewell is wanted by Chelsea and is a Newcastle target too
Rumours continue to circle around West Ham’s Tim Steidten future at the London Stadium
While rumours continue to circle around West Ham’s Tim Steidten, he is expected to remain in London and oversee changes there this summer.
With such a key summer ahead, the essential requirement for Newcastle is to find someone who can progress their transfer policy and profiling while maintaining an easy relationship with Eddie Howe.
