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John Ruddy’s Newcastle United exit agreed as veteran considers sporting director role

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All signs point toward a potential overhaul at Newcastle United this summer – and it could allow John Ruddy to try a new career path. 

After a miserable season, several players are expected to leave Newcastle United over the coming weeks and months. 

How many more points will Newcastle United get this season? 👀

Personally, I'm not confident of getting a single one 😂

Lewis Miley looks dejected after Newcastle United concede a goal against Bournemouth.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

While Ruddy’s seemingly likely exit is unlikely to make much in the way of headline news given he has never played for Newcastle in a competitive sense, it could actually lead him down an interesting path. 

Ruddy tipped to make a successful sporting director

According to The Daily Mail, the 39-year-old goalkeeper is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his deal at the end of the season. That has now been agreed internally, it seems.

How sweet would it be to dent Arsenal’s title hopes? 😍😍😍

Haven't got much faith, mind 😪

A graphic showing Newcastle United's last five Premier League results against Arsenal.
Credit: Getty Images/Serena Taylor/Newcastle United

It adds that Ruddy, who played for England back in 2012, is considering trying to become a sporting director.

Craig Hope’s insight also reveals that people within Newcastle think Ruddy would make a success of that role, given his impact behind the scenes on Tyneside.

As a vastly experienced senior professional, Ruddy has often been tasked to take teammates to one side and offer advice on whatever issues they have.

Eddie Howe loves working with John Ruddy

Eddie Howe is a big fan of Ruddy, despite never playing him. 

The Newcastle United manager has consistently praised the veteran’s impact behind the scenes at the club, which perhaps explains why he has been kept on for two years.

His time at Newcastle is a relative footnote in Ruddy’s career, but that does not mean it hasn’t been worthwhile.

John Ruddy on the Newcastle United bench against Everton.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

Howe certainly seems impressed with him, and Hope’s report would also suggest he is appreciated behind the scenes. 

It would be fascinating to see at what level Ruddy goes into should he try and take up the role as a sporting director.

Newcastle have certainly had their fair share of them…