The eight Newcastle United signings Steve Nickson has secretly been behind prove he’s Paul Mitchell’s heir

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Newcastle United are once again looking for a new sporting director. 

Whether or not the club look to replace Paul Mitchell or create a new role to work alongside their existing regime remains to be seen, but the churn continued at Newcastle United on Tuesday. 

Mitchell left his role as Newcastle sporting director after just over a year at the club, having replaced Dan Ashworth in 2024. 

Ashworth himself only lasted a few months before going on gardening leave when Manchester United registered their interest in his services. Interestingly, reports from The Daily Telegraph have claimed that Ashworth regrets leaving Newcastle for Manchester United.  

• READ MORE: Paul Mitchell’s five Newcastle United signings, ranked

Still, amid so much change, Steve Nickson remains. Nickson is Newcastle’s head of recruitment and has been since the summer of 2017. 

Nickson is highly rated at Newcastle, and for good reason. While selling players has proven an issue during the PIF era at St James’ Park, the signings they’ve brought into the club since the takeover in October 2021 have largely been brilliant. 

The signings Steve Nickson has been heavily involved in at Newcastle United  

The transfer guru certainly has a strong pedigree when it comes to bringing players into the club.

Back in February 2024, The Daily Mail ran something of a profile on Nickson. 

They revealed that his depth of knowledge and relationships with agents within the game helped the club make eight key signings.

It’s claimed Nickson was pivotal in bringing in the likes of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin before the Newcastle United owners took charge. 

Indeed, it’s further added that he helped oversee the additions of Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

It’s claimed Nickson was seen as the main negotiator, which certainly points to someone who knows what they’re doing. 

Steve Nickson almost struck more gold in the transfer market at Newcastle United

Newcastle wanted to sign Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise before they joined Crystal Palace, with both players since going on to star at the highest level.  

Nickson was also keen to bring Moises Caicedo to Newcastle too, years before the midfielder made himself into one of the most expensive players to ever lace up a pair of boots.

Clearly, Nickson is capable of identifying talent both from abroad as well as from within English football.

He may not be quite as heralded as Mitchell, but his track record cannot be doubted.

Newcastle could have a transfer budget of £150million this summer after having qualified for the Champions League.  

Nickson has seemingly earned the right to spend that kind of cash…