Newcastle told to sign top playmaker after Ashworth latest – expert
The incoming director of football at Newcastle United needs to set their sights on signing a “quality” playmaker.
That is the view of former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ recruitment plans.
Newcastle’s mega-rich new owners are on the hunt for a director of football to oversee recruitment and long-term strategy.
The Guardian reported last Monday (20 December) that Brighton have given Dan Ashworth their blessing to speak to Newcastle about the role.
Ashworth, who was previously employed as a technical director by the FA, has had great success working with Graham Potter on the south coast.
Per the Brighton and Hove Independent last Thursday (23 December) the Seagulls boss admitted “it doesn’t surprise” him to see Ashworth linked.
McLeish insists that a creative spark should be top of the agenda for Ashworth if he lands the job at St James’ Park.
“I’d like to hear that they are interested in signing some sort of playmaker,” he told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“If they are going to bring in anyone in, they need a top class, forward-thinking player.
“That’s the news I am looking for when it comes to transfers and players that might come in, personally.”
Newcastle have hired Nick Hammond as a temporary recruitment consultant, as revealed by this site on 17 December.
The former Celtic, Reading and West Brom chief will oversee the relegation-threatened side’s transfer business in the upcoming January window.
In other news, pundit suggests Newcastle United leading the race for “another Jamaal Lascelles” after Telegraph update.