Paul Mitchell has one month to leave a legacy that could impact Newcastle United for years and years.
He will, sources insist, work the entirety of June, despite this week’s confirmation of his imminent exit. Some find that bizarre, hardly conducive to best practice.
And so, heading into the biggest summer in the club’s recent history, with a spend of £100million expected, Newcastle will operate with an outgoing sporting director and outgoing chief executive. Whoever thought the arrival of wealthy owners would do away with dysfunctionality?
It is just as well they have Eddie Howe, his coaching staff and a squad of players who have bandaged those wounds with the bank notes of the Champions League. The holes will reappear, however, if they don’t get this transfer window right.
That is what happened to some degree in 2023, the last time they qualified for the Champions League. Their business now looks excellent – Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento – and very few disputed then that it was smart future-proofing. But in looking after tomorrow, they took their eye off today. It had to be a little more pragmatic.
That quartet, for various reasons and some of them unfortunate, had little impact during their first season at St James’ Park. Newcastle did not make it beyond the Champions League group stage and finished seventh in the Premier League – with no European qualification – all the while hamstrung by hamstrings, calves and thighs. The load was too much to bear.
Newcastle’s departing sporting director Paul Mitchell (left) and outgoing chief executive Darren Eales
Eddie Howe issued a rallying cry as the club require reinforcements for their return to the Champions League next season
Newcastle are heading into the biggest summer in the club’s recent history and want to get business done early
Lessons have been learned, but taking that beyond the classroom is the challenge for this summer. Newcastle have not made a significant first-team signing in the three windows since. Now, they have to make at least three in one, and ideally before returning to pre-season training in July.
On Sunday, Howe’s message to Newcastle’s hierarchy could not have been any clearer had he stood on the top of Grey’s Monument with a megaphone.
His post-season address to journalists was decisive, uncomplicated and effective, much like he wants their transfer business to be in the coming weeks. Note, that is weeks, not months.
Howe has delivered. He has delivered the Carabao Cup, a first domestic trophy in 70 years. He has delivered four England internationals, uncapped to capped because of his coaching and tutelage. A Brazilian one, too. He has delivered a squad that outperforms the sum of its parts. And he has delivered the Champions League.
It felt significant, too, when he twice referenced last summer, describing it as ‘turbulent’ and ‘disruptive’. He no doubt meant the scramble to sell players to avoid a profit and sustainability rules (PSR) points deduction, the loss of key allies Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, against their wishes, and the arrival of Mitchell.
All of the above unsettled Howe’s dressing room and some of his top stars entered the season questioning the direction of the club. The head coach knew as much. It was his job to point them in the right direction. At times, during the early weeks, it felt like turning the Titanic in a bath tub, but together they did it. They delivered.
So, what now? Howe wants a goalkeeper, centre back and an attacking player.
There have been talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, but Chelsea are the favourites for his £30m signature. Burnley keeper James Trafford is the No 1 pick in that position and an offer is anticipated.
Newcastle were in talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, but he looks headed for Chelsea
Burnley keeper James Trafford is the No 1 pick in goal and an offer is anticipated
Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo is on Newcastle’s list in the forward areas
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo are on the list, but so are others in those areas.
Real Madrid-bound Dean Huijsen was spoken to, while Manchester United-bound Matheus Cunha was admired and seen as a versatile option.
‘Speed is key for us and I have reiterated that many times internally,’ said Howe on Sunday. ‘We have to be ready to conclude things very quickly because good players don’t hang around for long.
‘You can have a period when you think you have time – but then you look around quickly and you see that time has elapsed and you missed opportunities you won’t get again.
‘We will do our best to do things early. The power of the Champions League is huge. It’s a selling point for us now, it’s an opportunity to sell that dream to future players that might be considering coming to us.’
The Champions League also keeps the likes of Tonali, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside. There is now an expectation of no major outgoings. But who negotiates a new contract for Isak? The two guys who are leaving?
A chief executive to replace Darren Eales, who is stepping down on health grounds, is said to be close, and we understand a recruitment arm of sports agency CAA have been leading the search. Some American names have been explored.
But Newcastle need senior leadership now, not next week. This is the dichotomy that exists inside the club. For as long as Howe and his team continue to shine, the spotlight is kept off other parts of the business.
Qualifying for the Champions League also keeps the likes of Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside
The Champions League is coming back to St James’ Park – and Newcastle need a squad befitting of the competition
Howe has delivered a first domestic trophy in 70 years, and now needs backing from the board
And here is something else to consider. It will not be a popular opinion on Tyneside, but PSR has been Newcastle’s friend. At least, the type of friend who puts you down so much that you come back stronger.
Spending restrictions have meant focusing on the club’s strengths. It has meant extracting every marginal gain when it comes to coaching and management.
Because without PSR, the story of Dan Burn does not happen. Or Jacob Murphy. Perhaps even Howe. When money is no object, the underdog is thrown a bone and shown the door. And Burn, Murphy and Howe – certainly during his first six months – were underdogs.
They are no more. Their work has left the club in a position of strength. And from such positions a club must build. Newcastle have the manager, the momentum and the money. The boardroom exodus is coming, but the least they can do is restock the dressing room before turning out the lights.
