Why Paul Mitchell looks the perfect sporting director for Newcastle United

Last week Paul Mitchell was appointed by Newcastle United, securing a much-needed replacement for Dan Ashworth and one of the most highly-regarded sporting directors in the game.

Mitchell is not only held in such high regard for his recruitment record, he's been at the heart of a number of impressive operations in the Premier League and in Europe. He's helped successfully oversee a number of projects and often pushes for the development of Academy talents and the signings of exciting young players.

He's helped unearth several gems from his very first scouting role at MK Dons (2012) to his sporting director position at AS Monaco - his last role in football following his departure last October - and also has experience in multi-club models which I will also cover below.

In a summer that saw Southampton lose Lallana, Lovren, Shaw and Pochettino, he played a key role in the immediate rebuild as the Saints brought in Mane, Tadic, Bertrand and Pelle, where they went on to finish 7th that season (2014/15).

Southampton signings - Sadio Mane (£10m), Dusan Tadic (£11m), Victor Wanyama (£12.5m), Graziano Pelle (£8m)

He brought Son Heung-min to the Premier League, picked up Dele Alli for £5m after their time at MK Dons and played a big role in shaping Mauricio Pochettino's exciting Spurs side, landing the likes of Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld for a combined £14.5m.

Spurs signings -  Heung-Min Son (£22m), Kieran Trippier (£3.5m), Toby Alderweireld (£11m), Dele Alli (£5m).

After joining the Red Bull group, he picked up some gems for Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig, recruiting the likes of Christopher Nkunku (now at Chelsea), Patrik Schick (now at Bayer Leverkusen), Nordi Mukiele (now at PSG), Matheus Cunha (now at Wolves) and Dani Olmo; a Spanish international currently starring at Euro 2024.

RB Leipzig signings  - Christopher Nkunku (£11m), Dani Olmo (£17m), Patrik Schick (£23m), Matheus Cunha (£12.5m), Nordi Mukiele (£13.5m)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99tVvRzycA

In his last role before arriving on Tyneside, Mitchell inherited a mess at Monaco. They had around 70 players on their books at the time (first-team and youth talents pushing to break into the senior side), but from that came the development of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Benoit Badiashile. The French duo would then go on to seal big moves, with Tchouaméni joining Real Madrid for £85m and Badiashile departing for Chelsea in a deal worth £35m. Identifying, developing and selling for huge profits is something we could see more of and can work wonders in the world of FFP.

Axel Disasi was another Mitchell picked up at Monaco, with the centre-back signing for £10m before his £38m switch to Chelsea last summer.

His role at Leipzig within the Red Bull Group points towards his forward-thinking approach in recruitment and data-analysis, where he helped sign young, attacking players who fitted perfectly in a high-intensity style. Sounds ideal for Eddie Howe's Newcastle, doesn't it?

Mitchell also offers some experience working within a multi-club model, helping oversee improvements at Cercle Brugge – part of Monaco’s ownership portfolio – during his time in France, where the Belgian side went from a mid-table finish two years ago to second place in 2022/23 and fourth last season.

It's not secret that Newcastle are exploring a multi-club model. Amanda Staveley confirmed this in March and there's been talks held with clubs in Belgium (KV Oostende), France (Dijon), so this all helps Mitchell's suitability to the role as we look to grow on and off the pitch.

All in all, he feels like a perfect fit. He's worked in youth development, scouting and as a sporing director. He's worked in the lower leagues of England (MK Dons) and at the very top with two Premier League stints, but also comes with vast experience in Europe following spells with RB Leipzig and Monaco, where he'll have developed contacts in Germany and France.

It's a unique blend of experience and expertise and a promising sign for the club's trajectory that he's ended a spell out of work to take on this ambitious project at St James' Park, where he'll work closely with Eddie Howe and Steve Nickson to help support a huge summer transfer window for the club.

From a player who captained MK Dons to a director who helped run a Champions League club with an excellent recruitment model, Mitchell has walked many paths in football that promise to serve him well at Newcastle United.