Demba Ba has already opened the door for potential Newcastle United role as Paul Mitchell leaves

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Newcastle United are suddenly looking for a new sporting director.

With Paul Mitchell leaving Newcastle United, the club’s hierarchy are on the lookout for their third sporting director since the change of ownership.

Eddie Howe will help pick Mitchell’s replacement, as Newcastle United prepare for what should be a very busy summer transfer window.

There will be no rush to appoint a new sporting director, with Newcastle’s transfer plans remaining the same despite Mitchell’s imminent departure.

As the search begins, fans begin to ponder who could arrive at St James’ Park. Geordie Boot Boys looked at five options to replace Mitchell, with Dougie Freedman and Steve Nickson named.

It could even potentially be a former player, with Demba Ba having admirers at Newcastle United for his work at Ligue 2 club USL Dunkerque.

Demba Ba eyes return to England

A swoop for Ba would mean a return to English football for the 40-year-old.

That is something that Ba is aiming to do in his career, having told the i Paper in January 2025 that he wants to work in England at some point in the future.

“In my heart I’ve always belonged to English football,” he said.

“With my ideas and budget of clubs in England, I’m sure that the day I come in I will be able to do something really big.

“It’s complicated for ideas to work so there are no guarantees but I think I will come back.”

While it remains to be seen if Newcastle are interested in naming Ba as their new sporting director, a move to St James’ Park could be appealing for a man who scored 29 goals for the Magpies and envisions working in England.

Newcastle United to appoint a new CEO first

Before Newcastle bring in a new sporting director, they will appoint Darren Eales’ successor.

The Magpies’ chief executive officer is going to leave the club very soon, after it was announced that he would be departing due to health reasons.

Eales has remained in his role during the search for his replacement, with a conclusion now near.

With Mitchell and Eales on their way out, there will be a major reshuffle to Newcastle United’s hierarchy this summer.