Steve Nickson set for Newcastle United exit after talks - Report

Steve Nickson looks to be on his way out of Newcastle United after talks with the club.

Newcastle look set for their traditional summer disruption just as the transfer window opens.

Last year, Paul Mitchell's notice period took him into the first week of the summer window, leaving Newcastle with no sporting director for the rest of the summer, whereas the previous summer was when Mitchell joined the club, but it was too soon for him to have any impact.

We were also missing a CEO last summer as Darren Eales was on sick leave. The imminent departure of Steve Nickson may not be as major, but it's still less than ideal.

Steve Nickson told Newcastle he wants to leave

After it was reported that West Ham were eyeing a move for Nickson earlier today, The Athletic's David Ornstein now reveals that the 61-year-old has told Newcastle that he wants to leave.

Ornstein reports that all parties are comfortable with the situation, although it's not yet clear when he will depart after 15 years at the club, predominantly as Head of Recruitment.

According to The Chronicle, talks between Nickson and Newcastle remain amicable, while Ornstein explains that should Nickson serve a notice period, that could give Newcastle plenty of time to put together a succession plan.

Craig Hope has reported via X that Newcastle will look to hire externally to replace Nickson, so we're not likely to see Andy Howe promoted into the role.

Nickson's notice period could mitigate disaster

Hope's post suggests that Nickson is heading to the Championship, so it looks likely he's off to West Ham, but the main point is that talks are ongoing and Newcastle have asked him to see out the summer.

As we said this morning, we can handle losing Nickson; that's just the nature of business, people come and go, our issue was the timing.

If we can keep him for the summer, then we'll have done well, and we wish him luck at West Ham next season.