Who is Jack Ross? The former Sunderland manager turned Newcastle United supremo

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Jack Ross is a key figure at Newcastle United, having been appointed as the club’s Head of Football Strategy in 2025.

After starting his career as a young player in 1992 at Dunfermline, Jack Ross has been involved in football for the entirety of his career.

Spanning well over three decades, Ross has been a player, manager and now finds himself as a key figure at Newcastle United.

Though he used to manage Sunderland, he joined Newcastle in March 2023 as Head of Coach Development before being promoted to Head of Strategic Technical Football Partnerships.

Now he has earned another big promotion, and here is everything you need to know about him.

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What is Jack Ross’ job at Newcastle United?

Ross was appointed as Newcastle United’s Head of Football Strategy on July 14, 2025.

Reporting to new Sporting Director, Sudarshan Gopaladesikan, Ross’ leadership role is aiming to help develop consistency with the club’s sporting philosophy across men’s, women’s and academy football.

Other responsibilities will include building relationships with other clubs, introducing new football development and talent pathways for prospects at home and abroad.

Ross told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to move to the role of Head of Football Strategy.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help the club build on the outstanding progress and successes it has achieved on and off the pitch in recent seasons.

“We have incredibly high-calibre staff here across multiple pillars of the club, and I am looking forward to supporting them in this new position.”

How old is Jack Ross?

Ross was born in Falkirk, Scotland, on June 5, 1976.

As of July 2025, he is 49 years old.

Did Jack Ross play football?

Yes, Ross was a professional footballer with a career that spanned over 15 years.

Primarily a defender, Ross also played in midfield during stints at seven different clubs.

The bulk of his appearances came at Clyde before he journeyed south of the border to sign for Hartlepool United.

A year later, he returned to Scotland with hometown club Falkirk and would have spells at St Mirren, Hamilton Academical and Dunfermline Athletic, as injuries began to take their toll.

Ross retired in 2011 due to a knee injury. He picked up one international cap for Scotland B.

Jack Ross stats

Ross’ career stats for the seven clubs he signed for during his playing days.

Jack Ross at Sunderland and his managerial career

Ross oversaw 300 top-level games as a manager in England and Scotland.

Immediately after hanging up his boots, Ross entered the world of coaching as he became assistant manager to Alan Adamson at Dumbarton. He was named caretaker manager upon Adamson’s sacking and even guided the side to their first First Division victory in 16 years.

Successful spells at Alloa Athletic and St Mirren followed, before he was appointed by Newcastle’s fiercest rivals, Sunderland, in 2018, after they were relegated to League One.

Ross got Sunderland to the Play-off final in his first season in charge, but they suffered defeat to Charlton Athletic at Wembley. He was sacked in October 2019 with Sunderland sixth in the table.

Brief and unspectacular, though there were highlights, stints in charge of Hibernian and Dundee United came afterwards before he was hired by Newcastle in 2023.