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OFFICIAL: Newcastle announce SHOCK departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 27 May 2025 07:38 CDT
- 4 min read
Breaking
Newcastle have made the shock announcement that sporting director Paul Mitchell will step down from his role less than a year after being appointed.
Mitchell replaced Dan Ashworth as Newcastle’s sporting director in July last year, joining with a strong reputation, having built his name as a recruitment specialist for the likes of Monaco, Tottenham and Southampton.
However, Mitchell’s arrival mid-way through the transfer window saw the 43-year-old struggle to make a significant impact on Newcastle’s summer, with his most notable task being a long-running pursuit Marc Guehi, which ultimately saw the Magpies fail to meet Crystal Palace’s asking price.
With Newcastle’s CEO Darren Eales having announced his intention to step down in the near future due to health reasons, Mitchell confirmed that he too would resign from his role at the end of June.
"I'm leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales - someone who I have worked so closely with in my career - moving on soon,” Mitchell said.
"The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building.”
Mitchell leaves Newcastle after short but turbulent spell
In addition to their ongoing search for a new CEO, Newcastle will now be looking for their third sporting director in 18 months, having seen Ashworth leave for Manchester United last year – a move which saw him last just five months in the role before leaving by mutual agreement.
While Newcastle and Mitchell wished each other well, suggesting that there is no bad blood between both parties, the premature and sudden end to a high-profile appointment has caused some shock, particularly with the summer transfer window on the horizon.
Mitchell had initially caused some controversy after admitting that Newcastle’s previous transfer policy was not ‘fit for purpose’, leading to a staunch public defence of the club’s signings by manager Eddie Howe.
Mitchell and Howe were initially believed to have struggled during their first weeks at the club but they soon aligned to lead Newcastle to their first domestic trophy in 70 years this season and a return to Champions League football.
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