Newcastle United have reportedly appointed former West Brom technical director Nick Hammond.
The Athletic claim that the 54-year-old will be the club’s temporary consultant, as they look to navigate the tricky waters of the January transfer window.
Newcastle’s new owners need to get it right in January. They need signings that are going to galvanise the team and guide the club to Premier League safety.
Ideally, a director of football would be in place. But with the timing of the takeover, that won’t happen until 2022.
That means Amanda Staveley and co have had to take temporary measures, which has led to the reported appointment of Hammond.
Hammond used to be a goalkeeper back in the day, best known for his exploits with Swindon Town in the late 80s and early 90s.
He then moved into recruitment, playing a key role at Reading in the early 2000s.
Sadly, his next two moves were less successful. A stint at Celtic hardly set the world alight, and his previous spell with West Brom has Baggies fans worrying for the Toon Army.
Hammond arrived at the Hawthorns in April 2016, but was relieved of his duties two years later. It was a disastrous spell with West Brom, that saw him appoint former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.
His signings failed to deliver, with the Baggies eventually dropping into the Championship in 2018.
Now Hammond is the man tasked with helping Newcastle in the January transfer window. Toon fans will give him the benefit of the doubt, but West Brom supporters are shocked by the alleged appointment.
West Brom fans worry for Newcastle following Nick Hammond arrival
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