Aston Villa are set to announce the departure of the president of football operations, Monchi, after their poor start to the Premier League season.
Just like the Magpies, it has been a slow start to the season for Unai Emery’s side, who have yet to win in the Premier League after five games.
Newcastle United have won just one of their opening five games in the league, though they have only lost once. The two teams had very different transfer windows; however, with Eddie Howe’s side making six senior additions while selling longstanding players like Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson, as well as the departure of Alexander Isak for a record transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa struggled with PSR compliance after heavy spending over the last three years and were forced to sell academy graduates to stay above board. A notable sale was Newcastle’s £43m deal for Jacob Ramsey, a transfer which represented pure profit for the club due to his academy upbringing.
Their slow start to the season and recent transfer business have since seen Monchi depart Villa, of which the Magpies must take note.
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Newcastle United’s sporting director appointment must be right for the club
In May, it was announced that Paul Mitchell was leaving Newcastle after just 12 months as sporting director. The 43-year-old failed to make a single major signing while on Tyneside, though he did make a positive impact on Newcastle’s academy.
PIF are still looking for his replacement, but reports suggest that Ross Wilson will be the successor to Mitchell.
Wilson is the leading candidate for Newcastle after it was reported that fellow candidate Jason Ayto is set to join Brighton. The feeling is that Eddie Howe will be pleased to work with Wilson, with the 47-year-old working alongside Newcastle’s owners to find a new sporting director.
While Wilson looks like a great addition, Newcastle must realise that a new sporting director could shape the way the starting XI looks for the coming years. PSR was a big catalyst to Mitchell’s failure, but he did not do himself many favours while at the club.
Newcastle would ultimately benefit from appointing a new sporting director, but they simply have to get this sporting director addition correct.
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Newcastle United’s transition period is almost over
The last 12 months have felt like a major period of transition from top to bottom. Darren Eales departed as CEO, while the academy has seen multiple coaches come and go.
However, recent appointments have been made in multiple departments. David Hopkinson replaced Eales as CEO, while Adam Lawrence and Chris Moore joined as head coaches of Newcastle’s U21s and U18s, respectively.
Elsewhere, Newcastle appointed Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as technical director to work alongside Jack Ross, with the pair set to work alongside the new sporting director.
When Wilson, or whoever it may be, arrives at Newcastle, it should bring a natural end to the transition period at the club. The main positions will be filled, and the club can move forward to try and find more success in the future.
Newcastle found success last season, but with a strong backroom team much more can be achieved on Tyneside.
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