Now Eddie Howe is through the door at St James' Park, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) are eyeing another major Newcastle United appointment...

What's the word?

According to the Telegraph's Matt Law, former Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has emerged as a leading candidate to become the Magpies' new director of football.

"Newcastle United make Michael Emenalo their top choice for the director of football job following talks in Saudi Arabia. More talks to follow. Would be a huge coup for the new ownership," he tweeted earlier this week.

It's thought that the 56-year-old travelled to Saudi Arabia to hold talks with Newcastle's new owners and has now become their first-choice option for the role.

Talks are expected to accelerate during the international break, whilst Emenalo is said to be a big fan of Howe, having spoken glowingly about him during recent discussions.

Game-changing hire

Whilst the appointment of the former AFC Bournemouth stalwart is huge for the club, especially post-Steve Bruce, the arrival of the Nigerian could be exactly what PIF need to truly revolutionise the northeast sleeping giants.

During Emenalo's time at Stamford Bridge, he won the Premier League three times, the Champions League, the Europa League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, whilst he played an integral role in appointing those managers that led the Blues to glory and was key to their impressive recruitment.

It was the 56-year-old who spotted and signed talents like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois. He also helped convince Eden Hazard to make the switch from Lille.

Furthermore, he had plenty of influence on their academy, which in recent times has seen players such as Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori go on to become first-team regulars, both in west London and elsewhere.

These are all elements that have been lacking from St James' Park for several years, if not forever, so by appointing the former Monaco man, PIF could genuinely change the Magpies' fortunes - starting deep behind the scenes.

None of Newcastle's most-recent starting XI had an academy graduate in it, with Sean Longstaff the only member on the bench, whilst the club's transfer dealings over the past few seasons only further highlight the need for someone like Emenalo - think club-record £40m signing Joelinton, for example.

So forget Howe, the ex-Chelsea supremo could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Magpies' new ownership, and it's a decision that could be game-changing for the club.

On the above evidence, those around Tyneside should be absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, David Ornstein drops major Newcastle update that'll surely leave Eddie Howe gutted...