PIF are hoping that Paul Mitchell can help take Newcastle United to the top.
He was appointed as the new Newcastle United sporting director in the summer, replacing Dan Ashworth following his move to Manchester United.
Toon officials conducted a lengthy search to identify his successor, with Dougie Freedman initially looking set for the job at St James’ Park. However, Crystal Palace were able to keep hold of their recruitment guru, with Freedman rejecting Newcastle’s offer.
Newcastle then went back to the drawing board, before announcing the arrival of Paul Mitchell. He arrived with a big reputation in the world of recruitment, but he still has a lot to prove on Tyneside after a tense start to his Newcastle United tenure.
Former Newcastle United player set for Manchester City job
Meanwhile, another sporting director that Newcastle United targeted earlier in the year is set for a new opportunity.
Manchester City are set to bring in a new sporting director this summer, as Txiki Begiristain prepares to step down from his role at the Etihad Stadium.
His replacement will be a name that is very familiar to Newcastle United fans – Hugo Viana.
He played for the Magpies in the early 2000s, making 56 appearances in all competitions. Viana was also linked with the sporting director position at St James’ Park earlier in the year, with the job eventually going to Mitchell.
Newcastle were interested in appointing Hugo Viana as sporting director
With Viana now set to join Manchester City’s behind the scenes team, there will be a feeling of what might have been for Newcastle United.
But it was perhaps just a case of bad timing. That is the view of TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about Newcastle’s interest in Viana ahead of his move from Sporting CP to Manchester City.
“What could have been for Newcastle,” he said.
“Their potential targets and former employers could now be taking charge at Manchester City and Manchester United [Dan Ashworth].
“We spoke about Hugo Viana being on the list for Newcastle during the summer. The work he has done at Sporting has been spectacular.
“Newcastle did look at him, but I think it became apparent pretty quickly that he was not ready to move to St James’ Park.
“He would have been an interesting one for Newcastle. But Newcastle can at least say we spoke to him so we were on the right track. They did look at him.
“I think he was very high on Newcastle’s list. If Viana had really wanted it, he could have been the first choice. He had a lot going on with Ruben Amorim staying. They have kept an awful lot of their big names over the summer. He had a big job on his hands, so it was perhaps bad timing when Newcastle were interested.
“It’s going to be a fascinating appointment. It shows what a well run club Manchester City are. They already know who they want. Newcastle are not a badly run club, but it shows where they need to get to off the field.”
Paul Mitchell is preparing for his second transfer window with Newcastle United
Manchester City are not scrambling to replace Begiristain. They already have their next appointment lined up, with Viana set for one of the biggest jobs in world football.
He will be in charge of ensuring Manchester City continue their spell of dominance, while Newcastle will be hoping that they can threaten that dominance in the coming years.
In an effort to close the gap, Mitchell is changing Newcastle’s recruitment strategy. He wants to sign more players from untapped markets, while Eddie Howe has backed Mitchell’s proposed recruitment change.
In the short-term, Howe and Mitchell are currently making plans for the January transfer window, on the back of what was an extremely disappointing summer.
Newcastle’s priority is to sign a winger in January, but Mitchell will continue to be mindful of PSR. Mitchell is willing to make a big signing for Newcastle in January, but only if the right deal is available.
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