Newcastle given paul mitchell departure verdict amid summer transfer window fear

NEWCASTLE UNITED'S SPORTING DIRECTOR TO LEAVE NEXT MONTH IN BIG RESHUFFLE THOMAS FAIR Community Editor and CHRONICLE LIVE READERS 09:50, 29 May 2025 Newcastle United's sporting

director Paul Mitchell is to leave his role less than a year after replacing Dan Ashworth ahead of a crucial time for the club. The Magpies secured a place in next season's Champions

League are are expected to bolster their squad ahead of their European campaign. However, Mitchell's departure has made some Newcastle fans in the Chronicle Live comments section

nervous about the upcoming summer transfer window. Mitchell's tenure at the club failed to bring in any major signings amid tight Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrictions,

though deals that are already in the works could yet be completed before he leaves. His predecessor, Ashworth, oversaw a much more active period of transfers, but left under a storm cloud

after a long and bitter fight with Manchester United over his services. Mitchell thanked the club during an official club statement, saying: "I'd like to thank everyone at

Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley, the players, staff, owners and fans. It has been an honour to be part of the club and to work with

some incredible people. "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. The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building. I'd like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and

successful future." The exit leaves Newcastle United with an uncertain immediate future, with Champions League football to prepare for, but the frugal spending in recent times has

enabled the club to spend this summer. Reader Davros92001 says: "Wow, I didn’t expect this. This is bonkers! Hard to judge a sporting director who was not allowed or able to spend, we

bought in a few kids that on paper at least look canny, but this? It doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s a power thing, but with the window about to open this raises some serious questions."

Michael Caine says: "I wonder where this leaves us with the transfer window due to open in a matter of days! Apparently Mitchell isn't due to leave until the end of June. Will he

be allowed to sign players while working his notice? I can't see it happening. How long will it take to appoint a replacement? I was hoping we could sign Bryan Mbeumo signed next week.

The timing of this seems very strange!" Others think that the club could manage better without a sporting director, or at least someone brought in from the outside. Alberni says:

"I don’t believe there’s any reason to get our knickers in a twist. Steve Nickson is more than capable of doing the job, perhaps he will get the position permanently. He has been at

Newcastle when some great players have been signed." DurbanSkyslot adds: "This was one of my gripes from the start about a Director of Football. You have a manager like Howe

who's used to doing things his way having someone over the top of him. "This arrangement is never going to work unless both parties are on board with it from the start. You either

have to back Howe or you replace him with a coach who is happy with the DOF arrangement. That is two DOF's seen off now so is it worth getting a third because Howe is not going to like

their work when he has his own ideas?" HAVE YOUR SAY! DOES THE "DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL" MODEL WORK FOR EDDIE HOWE AND NEWCASTLE UNITED? HOW DO YOU RATE MITCHELL'S YEAR AT

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