Newcastle's search for a Director of Football: Who are the options?

With Dan Ashworth on gardening leave, who are Newcastle United considering as his replacement?

In a report by Craig Hope, it was revealed that Newcastle United have engaged Odgers Berndtson to assist in compiling a detailed profile of potential candidates. We have several candidates we're reportedly interested in; let's examine who these individuals are and assess their potential suitability.

Paul Mitchell

AS Monaco

Mitchell's recent tenure at AS Monaco, initially as the club's Sporting Director and later serving on its board for several months, culminated in his departure from the club. He is best recognised for his influential role at Southampton, collaborating with Pochettino to recruit players like Clyne, Yoshida, Gazzaniga, and Davis, which significantly contributed to the club's promotion back to the Premier League. Subsequently, Mitchell joined Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, playing a pivotal role in acquiring talents such as Son Heung-min, Toby Alderweireld, and current Toon star Kieran Trippier. His departure from Tottenham followed a disagreement with Daniel Levy.

However, Mitchell's professional reputation continued to grow. He moved on to RB Leipzig, where he further proved his mettle by signing players who are now stars in the Premier League, including Matheus Cunha and Nordi Mukiele. Although he was once on the brink of joining Manchester United, he ultimately chose Monaco, from where he recently parted ways in search of new challenges. Currently, Mitchell is reportedly being considered for a position with AS Roma.

Phil Giles and Lee Dykes

The names Phil Giles and Lee Dykes are prominent in discussions, with both holding significant positions at Brentford. Giles serves as the Director of Sport, while Dykes is the Technical Director.

Lee Dykes emerges as a particularly strong candidate for Newcastle, aligning closely with the club's strategic direction. His instrumental role in acquiring Toney and Benrahma, two players epitomizing the 'buy low, sell high' model, is noteworthy. Benrahma, signed for a mere £1 million from NICE, was later transferred to West Ham for £22 million. Toney's situation is even more striking; purchased for just £400,000, he could command a fee exceeding £80 million. Intriguingly, any such sale would benefit Newcastle significantly due to their previous agreement with Peterborough.

On the other hand, Giles is more visible in the public domain, particularly in his post-transfer window analysis. Being a Newcastle native, Giles could be a more straightforward recruit and play a vital role in the club's rebuilding process. Brentford's reputation as a 'Moneyball' club, heavily reliant on player statistics and data analytics, is well-established. The club's rise through the football league ranks saw them become synonymous with the 'expected goals' (xG) statistic, a concept increasingly familiar to football enthusiasts.

Tiago Pinto

Icon Sport

Tiago Pinto's relatively brief yet impactful career in football has included significant tenures at Benfica and AS Roma. He began his journey as the Director of Football at Benfica, earning accolades as one of the most proficient talent developers in the sport. On his acquisition by AS Roma, CEO Guido Fienga praised Pinto, stating:

"Tiago is well-regarded for his holistic approach to developing a dynamic sporting department, and also for his track record of building an active pathway for players to graduate from the academy to the first team. His energy, expertise and commitment will prove invaluable in our quest to win trophies."

However, Pinto's time at Roma, which ended in 2024, was not without its challenges. His stint was marked by significant injuries to key signings such as Smalling, Abraham, and Kumbulla. This raises a question about his suitability for Newcastle United, particularly with the club's current close scrutiny under Financial Fair Play regulations. The concern is whether Pinto, given his track record at Roma, is the right choice for a Director of Football who can effectively operate within such financial constraints.

Steve Nickson

Steve Nickson presents a particularly intriguing option for the Director of Football role at Newcastle United, chiefly because of his existing ties with the club. He first joined Newcastle in 2011, serving as the Chief Scout for the Youth team. His capabilities in this role led to his promotion in 2017 as the Chief Scout for the first team.

Contrary to expectations during the club's takeover, Nickson was retained, his status as a key senior figure recognized and valued. His exemplary performance in the initial transfer window post-takeover solidified his position, and he continued in his role as Chief Scout, collaborating effectively with Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe.

Now, in 2024, with Ashworth's departure, Nickson has taken a more prominent role, spearheading the preparations for the Summer 24/25 transfer window. Given his deep-rooted association with the club and his recent elevated responsibilities, there's a real possibility that his temporary position could become permanent. Nickson is indeed one of the leading candidates under consideration for the pivotal Director of Football role.