Newcastle United may have to go back to the drawing board in their search for a new sporting director.
While the Dan Ashworth to Manchester United saga gets very messy, there was hope that Newcastle United were going to get their own house in order.
The club have been pressing ahead in their search for a replacement, with Dougie Freedman and Johannes Spors identified as the two final candidates. And it looked like the former was going to get the job, with Freedman impressing Toon officials during the interview process.
Freedman was the favourite, and looked set to leave Crystal Palace and move up north.
Newcastle United’s reaction to Dougie Freedman staying at Crystal Palace
However, there has now been a change of plan.
Freedman has instead decided to turn down Newcastle United’s offer, opting to sign a new contract with the Eagles and remain at Selhurst Park.
It is a blow for the Magpies, and HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey has spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about Newcastle’s reaction.
“He’s agreed his new deal at Palace, which has surprised a few, Newcastle included,” he said.
“They were officially informed on Thursday. They had an inkling earlier in the week, but were officially told on Thursday.”
What Newcastle United will do next
Newcastle United were hoping to appoint a new sporting director very soon, and it looked all but certain that it was going to be Freedman.
However, that is not the case. Now Newcastle will need to decide on a new candidate, and logic would dictate that 777 Group chief Johannes Spors would immediately becoming the favourite.
However, that remains to be seen, and Bailey has toldGeordie Boot Boys what Newcastle United will be doing internally as they consider their next move.
“As it stands now, Steve Nickson, who wanted the role, will head up the football recruitment this summer. Whether they go back to Johannes Spors remains to be seen, but he’s more commercial, from what we understand.
“However Newcastle phrase it, it is a blow.
“I’m told that Freedman has more control at Crystal Palace. He basically runs the whole club. Would he have had that at Newcastle? I’m told maybe not.”
Steve Nickson to step up this summer for Newcastle
In the meantime, it looks like Steve Nickson is going to be in charge of the club’s summer transfer business. That is nothing to worry about, as the head of recruitment certainly has a good track record when it comes to signing players. Newcastle’s business has been largely brilliant in recent years, and even before the takeover Nickson was identifying the right players – the club just did not have the budget to sign them!
Now that budget is available, but it will need to be boosted by player sales. Miguel Almiron is likely to leave, and the same goes for Callum Wilson.
During the initial search for a Dan Ashworth replacement, Nickson was in the frame, and had support from Amanda Staveley. It now looks like the co-owner could inadvertently get her wish in the meantime, as Newcastle decide what to do next.
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