Newcastle United are looking far and wide as they search for a Dan Ashworth replacement.
The Magpies are currently without a sporting director, with Dan Ashworth placed on gardening leave amid interest from Manchester United. The former FA chief is going to be taking his talents to Old Trafford – but only once a compensation package is agreed.
In the meantime, Newcastle are looking for his replacement. It initially looked like the Magpies would bide their time and wait for the right man, but there is now a renewed focus on finding a new sporting director.
Paul Mitchell has been reported as the frontrunner for the job, but he is not the only candidate who Newcastle United are looking at.
There has been speculation that Steve Nickson could be promoted from head of recruitment, while Benfica’s Rui Pedro Braz has also been linked.
Now iNews have thrown another name into the conversation, and it is a man who did it all during his playing career.
Newcastle looking at Paolo Maldini as sporting director candidate
According to iNews, Paolo Maldini is a contender to replace Dan Ashworth as Newcastle United’s sporting director.
The report claims that while Mitchell remains the leading candidate, Maldini is also on the Magpies’ list of potential options.
Another name they mention is former Toon midfielder Hugo Viana, who is currently director of football at Sporting. Interestingly, Newcastle are currently being linked with a few of Viana’s players, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Ousmane Diomande.
Maldini built an incredible team at AC Milan
But links with Maldini will create the most intrigue, as he is a prestigious name in European football. He was a one club man, only playing for AC Milan where he won seven Serie A titles and five European Cups.
Following his retirement, Maldini also worked as technical director at the San Siro. The team he put together included the likes of Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali, who would eventually sign for Newcastle last summer. During his time there, the team Maldini helped build would win Serie A and reach the semi finals of the Champions League.
He tried to sign Sven Botman ahead of Newcastle United
Maldini is currently out of work after leaving AC Milan last year, and a move to Tyneside would see him reunited with Tonali. It would also give him the chance to work with Sven Botman, who he tried to sign during his time as Milan’s technical director.
Newcastle landed the Dutchman, but had to fend off strong interest from AC Milan to get him. And it was actually Maldini who was leading the Serie A side’s interest. He really wanted to sign Botman, but the deal could not be done for financial reasons.
Fast forward two years and now Maldini and Botman could be at the same club, if Newcastle United do decide to try and make the Italian their new sporting director.
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