‘Eddie Howe may be behind Paul Mitchell’s shock Newcastle exit’
Eddie Howe may be enjoying a growing influence at Newcastle United following the departure of Paul Mitchell.
The Magpies enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 campaign in which they ended their long wait for a major trophy by winning the League Cup, while also qualifying for the Champions League.
Despite that, there has already been one surprise exit from St James’ Park ahead of the summer transfer window.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Mitchell will leave his role as sporting director at Newcastle, less than a year after joining the club.
Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell clashed over transfers
During his time at St James’ Park, Mitchell never completed a first-team signing for the Magpies, with Newcastle failing with their pursuit of Marc Guehi last summer.
The club were also forced to sell the likes of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson last summer in order to avoid breaching PSR.
Amid all that, Howe and Mitchell were involved in something of a public disagreement back in September over the club’s transfer business before and after the latter’s arrival [The Guardian].
Now, Danny Murphy has suggested that has contributed to the sporting director leaving Newcastle, due to the sway the manager may now hold at the club after the success he has delivered.
Giving his take on Mitchell’s departure while speaking on talkSPORT, the former England international said: “Well ultimately if he’s not signed anyone, and he’s only had the Guehi situation and getting rid of the two lads [Minteh and Anderson].
“It sounds to me like his exit is more to do with the personality clash, or maybe triggered by the words he said earlier regarding Eddie’s transfers or Newcastle’s transfers before he came in.
“Sometimes you just find, I mean Eddie’s stock has risen, he’s got them in the Champions League, he’s won a trophy, the fans adore him.
“Now I’m not saying this has happened but if Eddie has spoken to the hierarchy and said ‘he’s not my cup of tea’ then that’s right for him to go.”
Newcastle United right to back their manager
Football Insider Verdict
If a situation such as this has indeed developed, then it is no surprised that the Magpies have taken the side of their manager over their sporting director.
With the immense success that he has brought to St James’ Park, they are going to want him to remain in charge of Newcastle for some time to come yet.
However, Howe is already being touted to replace Thomas Tuchel as England manager in the future, a role that would undeniably be tempting for him.
As a result, the hierarchy at St James’ Park are going to have to do all they can to keep the 47-year-old happy and potentially convince him to remain with the club.
Given Howe and Mitchell seemingly did not see eye to eye over everything at Newcastle, it may therefore be understandable that the latter has now left the club under those circumstances.
That might indicate this will be a busy summer for the Magpies, as they aim to take more action that could keep Howe happy where he is.