Newcastle announce early exit - Another position to fill as coach leaves for senior role

by Olly Hawkins · 16 June 2025, 12:58

Newcastle United look set to lose another key member of staff this summer.

Darren Eales will step down when a new CEO is recruited and we were told last month that sporting director Paul Mitchell was also set to depart at the end of June, but now we're also on the lookout for a new Under-21 boss.

Despite arriving as the club's Under-21 boss in September last year, second team boss Diarmuid O'Carroll has now left the club.

As a club statement reveals on Monday lunch time, the 38-year-old Irishman has left to become a first team coach at Czech side Sparta Prague.

He follows previous Academy coaches Ben Dawson and Graeme Carrick in leaving for senior coaching positions and has left with warm wishes from Academy Director, Steve Harper.

Speaking to the club's official site, Harper said: “I’d like to thank Diarmuid for his time with us leading the under-21 group.

“The opportunity to work in Europe is an exciting one for him and we wish him the best of luck as his coaching career continues.

“He is the third professional development phase coach to be headhunted from our Academy for a first team senior football role in the last 12 months, which demonstrates that our Academy development pathway works not just for players but for staff too.

“The process of recruiting a new Under-21s lead coach is underway.”

Newcastle's Under-21s finishes ninth in the Premier League 2 last season, but will now be on the lookout for another head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.