Finance guru: Newcastle United fans will love boozy Darren Eales reveal
Newcastle United fans will love Darren Eales’ penchant for going out drinking with fans.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the new Magpies’ CEO’s brand of engaging with supporters.
The club confirmed the appointment of Eales, 49, last Friday (15 July).
He joins from MLS side Atlanta United, where he helped deliver multiple trophies, the highest profits in the league, and record attendance figures.
As quoted by The i last Sunday (17 July), Eales revealed that he helped build rapport with the Atlanta fanbase “pub crawl by pub crawl.”
Plumley insists that similar relationship-building tactics would be welcomed on Tyneside.
“It’s always important to engage the fans,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Fans want transparency and clear lines of communication. Engaging with fans in whatever way you can is great.
“Whether or not we’ll see the new CEO out on the streets of Newcastle remains to be seen. But most fans will look at that and think it’s great. That personable side is important.
“You have to be careful with how you manage these things. Richard Arnold at Man United was recorded without his knowledge when he met with fans recently.
“But fans will always welcome an ownership structure that tries to engage as much as possible.”
Eales will work closely alongside new director of football Dan Ashworth.
The executive also worked at Tottenham prior to his appointment at Atlanta.
In other news, Paul Robinson claims Newcastle United could seal “huge” Jack Harrison signing after journalist’s update.