Keith Wyness shares instant reaction as Newcastle finalise Man United deal
Newcastle United have enjoyed success on the pitch this term and are in the process of shaking up their off-field team with CEO Darren Eales set to leave the club.
Eales and the Magpies announced in September 2024 that he would step down after being diagnosed with chronic blood cancer.
As per The Telegraph (28 March), Man United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche is one of the candidates to take the role despite her leading the stadium project with the Red Devils.
Peter Silverstone joined as Newcastle‘s chief commercial officer in 2022, whilst Brad Miller was named as chief operating officer last year (2024).
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on Roche’s potential appointment.
Roche would be good choice for Newcastle, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted Roche would be a “good choice” as she is a “good diplomat and politician” – a key advantage for dealing with the club’s Saudi ownership.
However, he claimed one weakness could be her experience at Man United – which may have seen her “siloed” into certain specialties due to the size of the operation at Old Trafford.
Roche worked at Siemens, United Utilities and Manchester Airports Group before joining United in 2018.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The problem with Old Trafford experience is that you tend to be in certain silos because the club is so big.
“In other clubs, you tend to be more of a generalist – you get more exposure to different areas because the staffing levels are lower.
“Luckily, at Aston Villa and Everton I was exposed to all different areas.
“Ed Woodward at Man United was siloed into finance, because that was his experience – and didn’t really deal with the football stuff.
| Chairman | Yasir Al-Rumayyan |
| Chief Executive Officer | Darren Eales |
| Chief Financial Officer | Simon Capper |
| Chief Commercial Officer | Peter Silverstone |
| Chief Operating Officer | Brad Miller |
| Director | Jamie Reuben |
| Director | Abdulmajid Ahmed Alhagbani |
| Director | Asmaa Mohammed Rezeeq |
| Director | Jacobo Solis |
| Director | Roger Thornton |
“Collette, I know, has had broader experience – but that could be one weakness.
“Everyone speaks very highly of her, she’s had good business experience and that would stand her in very good stead.
“I think she would be a good choice and would fit the profile well. She’s apparently a good diplomat and politician, and that will be needed with the Saudi ownership.
“Overall, it’s one of the better names I’ve seen so far linked with the job.”
Major Huijsen to Newcastle update emerges
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (30 March) that Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League will be a huge deciding factor in their pursuit of Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen looks a certainty to be on the move from Bournemouth this summer with his contract at the Vitality Stadium including a £50million release clause.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea are among the other sides keen on the Spain international centre-back.
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