Kieran Maguire: Newcastle United now have ‘perfect’ Amanda Staveley ally as new deal agreed
New Newcastle United chief executive Darren Eales is the “perfect” foil to Amanda Staveley.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 49-year-old’s installation in the St James’ Park throne room.
It was announced last Friday (15 July) that Eales had left MLS side Atlanta United to become CEO for the Magpies.
The experienced executive is credited with boosting attendances at Atlanta to record levels and for delivering silverware in the form of the MLS Cup and US Open Cup.
Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi were named directors at Newcastle after their instrumental role in the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s £305million takeover last October.
Maguire claims that Eales’ master negotiating skills and industry-specific know-how will complement their skillsets.
“I think it was always important that Newcastle get someone with the experience,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“They have got very enthusiastic people in the shape of Amanda Staveley and her husband, but they don’t necessarily have the negotiating background.
“You need to make sure negotiating deals is done from a footballing perspective. Therefore, having someone that is used to the trade and to maximising for the club itself is going to be perfect.
“For me, Newcastle are trying to down a similar route to Brighton in getting someone who is experienced as a director of football and as a CEO.
“Although they are behind the scenes, these people can have a big impact on improving the budget and improving the day-to-day operations of the organisation.”
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