Exclusive: Newcastle staff stunned by Paul Mitchell claim amid Howe bust-up
Paul Mitchell left senior staff at Newcastle United stunned by what he said in a behind-the-scenes meeting shortly after his arrival at the club, sources have told Football Insider.
Staff were told by the sporting director soon after his 4th June appointment that he was now the person in charge and who they would be answering to from that point onwards.
Eddie Howe's exclusion from this meeting also raised red flags among the staff, with many beginning to question who was truly in charge at St James' Park.
Sources with knowledge of the meeting have told Football Insider that scouts and other backroom staff members are said to have been stunned by Mitchell's claim amid uncertainty over their own positions at the club.
This new revelation following widespread reports of a public falling-out between Howe and Mitchell, which the pair themselves have done little to dispel.
Disagreements over transfer targets during the summer led to a frustrating transfer window, marred by the bust-up between the pair behind the scenes.
Paul Mitchell leaves Newcastle staff open-mouthed after Eddie Howe twist
Mitchell had been highly critical of Newcastle's previous transfer policy, vowing to overhaul the recruitment process upon his arrival at the club.
Howe then commented that he had rarely spoken to the transfer guru, and had "no contact" with him outside of the transfer window.
The pair had also butted heads regarding the summer's transfer plans, with the manager's preference to sign homegrown talent clashing with Mitchell's ideas.
This led to claims of growing tensions between the pair behind the scenes, and claims that the board would be forced to pick a side.
However, Football Insider revealed on 16 September that Howe still has the backing of senior club chiefs despite the issues since Mitchell's arrival.
As further details continue to emerge about the behind-the-scenes clash between the manager and the director of football, the situation remains a difficult one.
It has been said that any tension between the pair has cooled in recent weeks as they have reached a compromise on their plans, but uncertainty is lingering.
With staff questioning their positions and who the chief decision-maker is at St James' Park, further instability is now expected.
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