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Newcastle’s search for a new sporting director has begun and we can exclusively reveal that the club has hired internationally renowned Odgers Berndtson to lead the recruitment drive.
It is a sign of the club’s intention to get the best in the business to replace Dan Ashworth, given the company is seen as one of the world’s leading executive search firms, with offices in 31 countries.
We have learned that Odgers Berndtson has already contacted people in the game and, although there is no definitive time frame for an appointment, it is believed that who would be the main candidates have already been identified.
Names mentioned to us include former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, Brentford pair Phil Giles and Lee Dykes and former Roma boss Tiago Pinto, although the list will extend beyond that.
It also remains the case that current head of recruitment Steve Nickson will be considered for a redesigned role if the club decides to modify its model. Notebook reported last week how highly he is regarded internally, and several would support him taking on more responsibilities.
Newcastle have begun searching for Dan Ashworth’s successor as the club’s sporting director.
Paul Mitchell (left) and Tiago Pinto (right) are among the possible candidates to take over the position.
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Odgers Berndtson partner Euan Frizzell is likely to be involved in the search and will produce a brilliant ‘candidate report’ for the role.
Newcastle remain in negotiations with Manchester United over the release of Ashworth, who is currently out for gardening. We understand that a compensation fee in the region of £15 million would allow for rapid progress.
Meanwhile, Andy Howe, nephew of Eddie Howe, has seen his title change from head of technical scouting to assistant head of first-team recruiting. Sources say this is not a promotion but recognition of the work he has done in identifying and recruiting senior players.
NETO SHOPPING TRIP EXPLORED
On the recruitment front, we reported last week that Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly was a target and we understand those talks have continued. The 25-year-old defenseman is a free agent this summer.
But a new name that has reached us this week is Pedro Neto at Wolves. The club’s scouts have spoken about the Portuguese winger and it is believed that a fee of around £60m would be needed to complete a deal this summer. Liverpool are also interested.
Neto will be one of several players Newcastle are exploring, with the expectation that a right winger will be sought to improve Miguel Almirón. He has the skill, pace and work ethic that Howe likes at an extreme and, at 23, he has a lot of improvements in him.
One area of concern would be that Neto has been injured in both games against Newcastle this season, most recently leaving at half-time with thigh discomfort during Wolves’ 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park at the weekend. past. However, that problem is not believed to be serious and Newcastle will continue to monitor his actions.
The Magpies have become interested in £60million Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
STAFF HAD NEVER SEEN AN INJURY AT BARNES BEFORE
Continuing with the extremes, Harvey Barnes is still regaining full fitness after four months out with a foot injury. But his problem was so unusual that Newcastle’s medical team had to study other sports to determine the best treatment and prognosis.
Barnes tore the ligaments under his toe, an injury no one had experienced in football. He feared his season could end at some point, given the mystery surrounding the issue.
A month after his return, the 26-year-old has felt no ill effects, which is a relief for everyone given that, to some extent, they were entering the unknown when he returned.
ANTHONY GORDON EXCLUSIVE!
I spent some time with Anthony Gordon at the club’s training ground this week, for his first exclusive newspaper interview since joining the club. You can read it in Mail+ on Friday afternoon and in the Daily Mail on Saturday.
And I have to say what an impression it made. Rarely does a 23-year-old speak with such intelligence and frankness. He did not shy away from any topic.
There is a broader perception of Gordon, but he challenged it here in an articulate and calm way.
He also revealed his love for notebooks (not this column, but notebooks in general) and says he scribbles his thoughts, feelings and ambitions all the time. He picked up and admired my own Real Madrid-branded notebook that I recently bought at the Bernabéu. They’re available online for around £12, I told him.
“No, it’s better when you buy them on your trips, so they have a souvenir,” he said, and his reasoning was correct.
So you know what to do, Anthony: return Newcastle to Europe and you can do exactly that!
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon poses for Mail Sport at the club’s training ground.
LIONS READY TO ROAR AT ST JAMES’
St James’ Park will host a celebration of international football this summer: England will play Bosnia in a pre-Euro Championship friendly and the new over-35s World Cup will almost certainly be held here.
And we can reveal that the England Lionesses will also play France in a Euro 2025 qualifier at St James’ on Friday 31 May. The match is yet to be confirmed, but we understand the Lionesses will head to Tyneside.
LEWIS GETS THE WAY WITH TOON
Lewis Hall will be a Newcastle player next season. The Chelsea loanee has barely appeared this season (11 appearances, only four of them as a starter), which raises doubts among fans.
But we understand that the criteria that trigger his permanent £28m move do not depend entirely on Hall’s own performance. If Newcastle reach a certain position in the league (and it is believed to be relatively low), then they will be obliged to sign the 19-year-old.
TRIPPIER WINS OUR HIGHEST PRIZE
It was our North East Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year dinner at Ramside Hall last weekend.
Kieran Trippier was the winner and, while that was due to his performances on the field, it is also worth recording how he handles himself with the media.
He always shows his face, regardless of the result, and says what he thinks on every occasion. She does not distrust the press and takes advantage of the opportunity to speak to the public through the media.
Even on Sunday night he didn’t disappear right after the awards ceremony. Instead, he happily chatted with journalists and punters alike, all the while dwarfed by the trophy that was almost as big as him!
Kieran Trippier won the North East Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award
CARTOON ADVANCE!
It’s time for the Toon trailer. Last week’s question was this: name the four goalkeepers who have won the penalty shoot-out for Newcastle. The responses were: Steve Harper, Mark Gillespie, Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka.
As for this week’s conundrum, and again, this was told to us reporters by a club staffer before Howe’s press conference (it’s now become a tradition), here it is: Name the four players who have appeared for Newcastle in the Premier. League with last name that begins with the letter ‘N’.
The answer will be revealed on Friday night at 8 pm on our new WhatsApp channel dedicated to NUFC.
It’s free and available. HERE.