A major development has emerged on Newcastle United's search for a director of football...

What's the talk?

The Athletic's David Ornstein has revealed that the Magpies are prime for talks with a candidate over taking up the position to assist Eddie Howe moving forward.

He Tweeted: "Brighton have given Newcastle permission to speak with Dan Ashworth over director of football role. #BHAFC want 50yo to stay but won’t block talks. Ashworth on rolling contract so #NUFC would need to agree settlement if situation develops."

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons. Firstly, it suggests that PIF are finally closing in on an appointment that could be key for the club in the years to come, as the person entrusted with this role will be making major decisions and, essentially, sculpting the future of the side.

Ashworth, if he now takes the job, will be tasked with dealing with managers and transfers and that means that the on-field results will be directly linked to how well he performs. He needs to get the best coaches/staff in place along with as many top players, by Premier League standards, as he can to give the side the greatest chance of achieving success and that is why this appointment is pivotal.

Fans will also be delighted because the chief has an impressive track record. The 50-year-old worked with The FA for six years and was a key cog in the recent successes of England at senior and youth level. Current Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate previously lauded the impact he had, saying:

"I told Dan (Ashworth) as we walked in that he should feel really proud. The last time we came to one of these it was in St Petersburg three years ago but this time we walked in as world champions at U17 and U20 and we've been to a seniors' semi-final, so we deserve our place at the table.

"That is a great credit to everyone involved, the backing the FA has given us in building St George's Park and investing in the teams, to the work being done in youth development and to Dan in particular for putting those plans in place, which we have seen pay off for Spain, Germany and France. It's up to us now to continue the work that's been started."

Since joining Brighton in 2019, the Seagulls have finished 16th and 15th in the Premier League and they are currently 13th in the table. This shows that he has been able to oversee a steady top-flight team without any major relegation scares, amassing more than 40 points in both campaigns.

This, along with his excellent work with England, shows why fans will be buzzing with this update from Ornstein on Newcastle's pursuit of his services.

AND in other news, Forget Clark: £44k-p/w NUFC liability who was dribbled past 3x was shocking v Man City...