MusaNewcastle United have identified another Premier League chief as a candidate for the sporting director role to replace Paul Mitchell after Ross Wilson also emerged as an option.
The news came as a shock to many fans who were expecting the 43-year-old to use his experience to bring a number of quality players to Tyneside.
However, that does not seem like it will be the case.Paul Mitchell seemingly stepped on the toes of many at Newcastle United, with reports sharing how he was unable to drum up positive relationships with many inside the club before announcing his departure.Despite his shock exit, Mitchell wants to sign a quality player for Newcastle before he leaves for good at the end of the month.
Newcastle fans wanted Steve Nickson to replace Mitchell as sporting director, but it looks like PIF have opted to go down the route of hiring a new chief.Reports earlier in the week stated Newcastle were interested in Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson, who has signed players like Anthony Elanga and former Magpie Elliot Anderson since joining them in 2023.
With a replacement for Mitchell seemingly coming closer to being confirmed, transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has informed Geordie Boot Boys of another Premier League candidate for the sporting director role.Brentford chief Phil Giles is of interest to Newcastle UnitedWilson appears to be the top target on Tyneside this summer, but he is not the only name that Nolan Partners, who are leading the search, have looked at.
Reports have also stated that Newcastle are considering former Arsenal assistant sporting director Jason Ayto, whose exit from the Gunners was confirmed in May.Geordie Boot Boys can now reveal that Brentford sporting director Phil Giles is also a candidate to replace Mitchell at Newcastle. The 49-year-old, who grew up a Newcastle fan, has spent the last 10 years at the Bees, and the Magpies see him as an ideal option for the role.Giles is credited with signing the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Nathan Collins, and Christian Eriksen, players who have gone on to become successful at the club or have joined with a very high reputation.Bailey informed Geordie Boot Boys that Giles is “on the radar and of interest”, but no talks appear to have taken place as of yet.
PIF under pressure to deliver a sporting director for Newcastle UnitedHaving lost Dan Ashworth in 2024 and Mitchell a year later, Newcastle fans are undoubtedly eager to see a sporting director join the club and stay for the long term. Giles could be exactly who they are looking for, and someone who will have the club’s best interests at the forefront of his mind.
Giles was tipped to replace Ashworth at Newcastle in 2024 alongside Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman, but the latter rejected the Magpies’ approaches and Eales brought in Mitchell instead.Talking about the sporting director search, Bailey told Geordie Boot Boys: “Newcastle know they need to get this right, they realise that the appointment of Paul Mitchell did not quite work out.“Eddie Howe will play some sort of role in getting the right man, him working with the sporting director is crucial.“Ross Wilson is a top name in football, his work at Rangers, Southampton and Nottingham Forest has been outstanding – he is a top candidate.“I would also keep an eye on Phil Giles at Brentford – a Geordie by birth, he is a fascinating option should Newcastle make a move.”
Musa
Kwaghterna Garshagu