There have been a couple of interesting spectators at the Newcastle United training ground as pre-season gets underway.
The Newcastle United players are back at Darsley Park, as preparations begin for the 2024/25 Premier League season. It is certainly an important one, and it is starting with plenty of change at St James’ Park.
Long-serving players such as Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie have departed, while three new signings have already arrived.
Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos have started training with their new teammates, as they look to quickly impress Eddie Howe. The latter is certainly excited to get to work, with Vlachodimos delivering a message to Newcastle fans from the training ground.
Major changes at Newcastle United
Away from the players, there have also been changes behind the scenes.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are leaving Newcastle United, with the couple selling their shares to PIF or the Reuben brothers. Their time on Tyneside is coming to an end, as the Toon project moves into its next phase.
And that phase is coinciding with the arrival of new sporting director Paul Mitchell. He has been appointed as Newcastle’s replacement for Dan Ashworth, and has been joined at the club by James Bunce. He is a trusted ally of Mitchell, and arrives as Newcastle’s new performance director.
Two new appointments watch Newcastle United train
They will have an important role behind the scenes at Newcastle, but have actually taken centre stage as pre-season kicks off.
The club have uploaded a selection of images from Howe’s training session on Friday, with the likes of Sandro Tonali, Callum Wilson and Newcastle’s new number 11 Harvey Barnes being put through their paces.
And they were watched by the Magpies’ two newest recruits, Mitchell and Bunce, who can be seen in picture number 16 on the club’s official website.
Busy summer ahead for sporting director Paul Mitchell
Hopefully they like what they saw, with Mitchell set for a busy first transfer market in charge.
When he arrived as sporting director, Mitchell was given greater control over Newcastle’s recruitment than Dan Ashworth had. That is perhaps why he is paying close attention to training early on, as he deciphers what Eddie Howe needs to take this Newcastle team to the next level.
It is reported that Mitchell has £100million to spend, with the Magpies keen to bring in a winger and a centre-back.
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