A key Newcastle United update has emerged, regarding the club's search for a director of football to work with Eddie Howe.
What's the talk?
Magpies reporter Liam Kennedy has revealed that he has heard the likes of Michael Edwards, Paul Mitchell and Victor Orta mentioned as possible targets for the club's director of football role. He has claimed that PIF will take their time with the appointment, with a number of candidates still in contention.
Speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, via ThisIsFutbol, Kennedy said:
“There are other people in line. I’ve heard loads of names mentioned. Of course, we’ll have heard the lad at Liverpool, whose name escapes me at the moment [Michael Edwards]; there’s the lad [Paul] Mitchell, who used to be at Southampton who’s now at AS [Monaco], is one that is mentioned.
“I’ve heard Victor Orta mentioned – the lad at Leeds who had a meltdown the other day, I’ve seen him on Sky Sports News shouting at some fans.
“And again, it’ll be one that they take their time on, it’s a big appointment.”
Buzzing
Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this update from Kennedy as it illustrates the calibre the club are aiming for. They are targeting top operators and want to ensure that they get the best possible person in to fill the role, as they will be leading the club's football operations in the long-term and this is not an appointment they can afford to get wrong.
Edwards, in particular, is an intriguing target for the Magpies given his impressive work for Liverpool. He is due to depart Anfield at the end of the season and Newcastle could hold out and wait for him to join ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
The sporting director helped to build a squad capable of winning the Champions League and Premier League for the Reds, whilst having a net spend of £130m. He is also said to have convinced the club to spend the money required to land Mo Salah, who has scored 145 goals and provided 56 assists in 224 games for the Premier League side.
To illustrate his impact on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on the director for the positive contributions he has made. The German head coach said:
"If we are as fortunate and blessed as we have been so far, maybe we can create more special memories for our club in this remaining time.
"He has been a constant presence during my period at LFC and his contribution to our success is clear for everyone to see."
This highlights the standard of candidate Newcastle are eyeing, according to Kennedy, and why fans will be buzzing with someone like Edwards being under consideration.
However, it is now down to the board to go out and ensure that they are able to convince him, or one of the other targets, to make the switch and come in to help Howe and his team.
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