What Paul Mitchell is trying to prove to Eddie Howe after rocky start to Newcastle relationship

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The noise surrounding Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell’s relationship has died down after a rocky start.

It was not a fruitful first summer as Newcastle United sporting director for Paul Mitchell. He failed to make any major signings, with Mitchell walking away from a deal for Marc Guehi.

It was a really disappointing transfer window, and what followed was a very messy situation.

Mitchell appeared to deflect the blame away from himself, while there was talk of a rift between the Newcastle United manager and sporting director.

It turned into a bit of a media circus, as it always does with Newcastle United. Unsurprisingly, it came at a time when Eddie Howe‘s team were not playing very well, with the alleged chaos behind the scenes bleeding onto the pitch.

The latest on Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell’s relationship

However, it has since been reported that Howe and Mitchell’s relationship has improved, as they work together on plans for the January transfer window.

The duo were sat next to each other on Saturday night, as the Newcastle players and staff attended a boxing event in Riyadh as part of their warm weather training camp in Saudi Arabia.

Now the Athletic have provided an update on the situation regarding Howe and Mitchell, including details on what Dan Ashworth’s successor is trying to do behind the scenes.

According to the Athletic, Howe and Mitchell are continuing to get along, while the sporting director is eager not to interfere when it comes to the manager’s work on the training ground.

The Athletic add that Mitchell is trying to prove to Howe that he trusts him.

Eddie Howe deserves Newcastle United sporting director’s trust

And so he should trust his ability as a coach.

Howe’s talent on the training ground has already been highlighted on the pitch this season.

Mitchell will have seen Lewis Hall playing at an extremely high level, cementing his place in the Newcastle United starting XI and earning his first two caps for England. That is down to Howe’s coaching.

Mitchell will also have seen Joelinton thrive in multiple positions, playing highly tactical roles to help the team. That is down to Howe’s coaching.

There is obviously a lot that the sporting director needs to change, particularly in terms of recruitment. However, Mitchell is lucky that the club already has a manager in place that is capable of leading the team in the right way.

Given Mitchell’s recruitment blueprint, Newcastle United need someone who can develop players and nurture talent. Howe is the master at that, which is why Mitchell is right to simply just leave the manager to it.