Newcastle United officials need Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell to work together.
It has not been the easiest start to their relationship at St James’ Park.
Paul Mitchell arrived as Newcastle United‘s new sporting director during the summer, and his appointment was met by Eddie Howe telling the media that he needs to feel supported in his role as Newcastle United manager.
An uncomfortable summer at Newcastle United
Then came the issue of transfers. Major targets were identified, but Paul Mitchell failed to bring them to Tyneside.
Marc Guehi was Eddie Howe’s top target, and Mitchell insisted he could sign the 24-year-old from Crystal Palace. However, he was wrong.
That led to an uncomfortable aftermath, with the likes of Alan Shearer criticising Newcastle’s summer transfer window. He specifically took aim at club officials Mitchell and Darren Eales.
Mitchell then went on the defensive when he addressed the media, seemingly suggesting that the transfer failings were not his fault and that Newcastle’s recruitment was all wrong before his arrival.
PIF want Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell to work together at Newcastle United
The phrase ‘civil war’ has been thrown around, which is perhaps a little extreme. However, there is a clear need for Howe and Mitchell to sing from the same hymn sheet.
And that is what the Newcastle United owners are eager to see happen.
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle’s owners – PIF and Jamie Reuben – are determined for Howe and Mitchell’s relationship to work.
They report that while there was tension during the summer, both Howe and Mitchell now have a better understanding of how the other operates.
That is positive, and will hopefully lead to their relationship improving to the benefit of Newcastle United.
Next test for Howe and Mitchell will be the January transfer window
There is a need to move on.
It was a tough summer, with a lot of major changes happening in a short space of time.
In truth, the tension that created is not a major surprise, as a new sporting director was always going to arrive with new ideas. However, those ideas are difficult to implement when the transfer window is already wide open.
It was a rough few months, but Howe and Mitchell can learn from it. They need to understand each other, while they must appreciate that they need each other for Newcastle United to be successful.
While the summer transfer window was a disaster, January can be much better. Plans will soon be put in place, with Howe and Mitchell dovetailing to determine what Newcastle United need to do, as well as what they can and cannot do.
It has been reported that Newcastle’s priority in January is to sign a winger, but they will not do business for the sake of it.
The Magpies will only make signings in early 2025 if the deal is right, which can be rare in a January transfer window. But Howe and Mitchell will know that, and the main hope is that their relationship is stronger than ever by the time the transfer window re-opens.
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