Newcastle's four-man recruitment structure as Paul Mitchell nears exit

When Paul Mitchell landed the sporting director job at Newcastle United last summer, Darren Eales confirmed during an in-house interview with club media that his role would be "90% recruitment."

The former Monaco and Spurs man will see out his final month on Tyneside over the coming weeks before leaving less than 12 months on from his arrival.

But, how have Newcastle reacted to the news? What will be the new transfer structure and recruitment team overseeing deals and moves for top targets in what will be a massive July and August on Tyneside?

Updates have arrived on that from from The Mail's Craig Hope and Chris Waugh at The Athletic, sharing the route Newcastle look set to take; for now at least.

Newcastle's 'new' recruitment team

Craig Hope reports that Eddie Howe and head of recruitment Steve Nickson now look set to oversee 'the bulk of dealings' over the summer, while Andy Howe and Jamie Reuben also have key roles to play.

Howe has always had a hands on role with transfers, but will now resume 'even greater control' after last summer's executive-level restructure has quickly evaporated, reports The Athletic.

Nickson - who scouted Sven Botman and Joelinton - will bring expertise, talent spotting and improving 'global connections', having recently expanded into South America and Africa.

The 60-year-old also played a key role in wrapping up deals for Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, travelling to both midfielder's home countries to get both moves over the line.

Andy Howe - Nickson's assistant and Eddie Howe's nephew - is highly-rated, trusted and valued by Newcastle's owners, becoming a point of contact for leading agents, according to The Athletic.

Howe junior helped identify Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento before all three were pursued, showing his credentials alongside Nickson.

It's also believed that co-owner Jamie Reuben may join other board members in taking on an 'increasingly hands-on role in finalising deals', although it remains to be seen if that will change when a new CEO arrives to replace Darren Eales in due course.

The incoming CEO (David Hopkinson?) may look to adopt a new approach to transfers, as Eales did with his appointment of Mitchell last summer, but this seems likely to be our team overseeing signings over the next three months.