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How Paul Mitchell feels about working on recruitment alongside Eddie Howe at Newcastle United

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Newcastle United need Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell to sing from the same hymn sheet as the Magpies navigate the summer transfer window.

The club have already made four signings ahead of the new season, but none of them have been blockbuster additions to the Newcastle United squad. Lewis Hall’s loan deal from Chelsea became permanent as expected, while Lloyd Kelly arrived from Bournemouth on a free transfer.

Newcastle have also tinkered with their goalkeeping department, bringing in Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy.

Combine their arrivals with departures for Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, and it has actually been a busy start to the summer.

Paul Mitchell now in charge of Newcastle transfers

However, the major deals are still to come, with sporting director Paul Mitchell taking charge of Newcastle’s recruitment.

Newcastle United Pre-Season Training
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

He has replaced Dan Ashworth behind the scenes, and is tasked with bringing in the players that Newcastle need to progress. However, he will not be alone in the search for reinforcements.

Eddie Howe will also have a say over Newcastle’s recruitment, after holding clear the air talks with the club following concerns about the Magpies’ approach moving forwards.

Paul Mitchell wants to work alongside Eddie Howe

Those concerns have hopefully gone away, but the proof will be in the pudding. The Magpies are yet to make any serious moves, with Newcastle’s £100million transfer budget still untouched.

But while Mitchell is at the forefront of Newcastle United’s recruitment, he is happy to collaborate.

That is according to iNews, who report that Mitchell is keen to work alongside Howe and has no plans to simply dictate who the club will and will not sign.

Collaboration vital for Newcastle United

If Mitchell and Howe are going to have a strong working relationship, they need to collaborate.

Fortunately, it sounds like that will be the plan. Mitchell does not want total control of recruitment, and neither does Howe.

They are both keen to work together, and that will hopefully make each other better and lead to a greater Newcastle United.

From Mitchell’s point of view, he needs to recruit players that the manager wants. He needs to understand what Howe looks for.

As for Howe, he has to appreciate Mitchell’s talent in the recruitment department. His record speaks for itself, and his reputation will only grow further if he delivers at St James’ Park. And if he delivers at St James’ Park, that increases the likelihood of Howe’s Newcastle team being successful.

If everyone is pulling in the same direction then this could be a very fruitful relationship on Tyneside.