‘Newcastle plot move for ex-Real Madrid man – the Saudis will approve this’
Newcastle United are in the midst of an uncertain period behind the scenes but could be set to bring in a former Real Madrid senior figure.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell is stepping down from his post on Tyneside after less than a year in the role, leaving the club in the market for a successor.
The Magpies are also on the search for a new CEO to replace the outgoing Darren Eales, who is leaving due to health concerns.
One name in contention to take over from Eales is David Hopkinson, who worked as an executive at Real Madrid between 2018 and 2020.
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 – insists that Newcastle need to appoint a new chief as soon as possible.
‘Newcastle could be playing catch-up’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed that if Newcastle appoint a new sporting director before Hopkinson or anyone else comes in, then it will leave the new CEO playing “catch up”.
The Magpies are preparing for a campaign back in the Champions League, after Eddie Howe’s side finished 5th in the Premier League last season.
Wyness added that Newcastle are currently in a “difficult situation” off the pitch.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Now what’s interesting is that they still haven’t appointed the replacement for Darren Eales, the CEO, and normally you’d have the CEO in place first before you’d have picked the sporting director.
“I saw this talk of a guy called David Hopkinson, who I believe was in the partnerships department at Real Madrid. He seems to be a name that’s being thrown around a lot right now.
“He doesn’t seem to have the football experience of a CEO that I could see. But nevertheless, it’s a name that perhaps the Saudis will like. They do tend to like good administrators. So we’ll see where that goes.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a concerning sign, but you normally would want your CEO to make the sporting director appointment, because the CEO is going to be working hand in glove with a sporting director.
“To have the sporting director in there first leaves the CEO in a bit of a catch-up position. It’s often difficult politically to do that because these people are not your selections and they feel that they’re not really working for you. It’s a difficult one.”
Newcastle told £50m bid for ex-Chelsea star will be accepted
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been told a £50million bid for Conor Gallagher is set to be accepted by Atletico Madrid this summer.
Atletico are not actively looking to sell the England midfielder and feel he still has a “huge” role to play in Diego Simeone’s side, but would be prepared to sell for the right fee.
This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle have set their sights on signing Gallagher to bolster their midfield.
Howe is believed to be a big fan of Gallagher and is aiming to strengthen his midfield options with the likes of Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley linked with moves away.
For more Newcastle United news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.