Newcastle United remain without the services of a sporting director.
With Dan Ashworth on gardening leave as Newcastle refused to be bullied into allowing Manchester United to appoint him without paying up, the limbo continues at St James’ Park.
Obviously, PIF’s conduct here is great for Newcastle. If Man United want Ashworth so badly, they would be better served trying to come to an agreement rather than publicly criticising the club for refusing to budge.
Still, the fact there is no sporting director in place is clearly not ideal.
Though Ashworth may not have been a roaring success (probably due to his very brief tenure more than anything), operating without one would not have been in the club’s grand plan.
In his absence, chief scout Steve Nickson is understood to be overseeing a lot of the business and has previously impressed.
However, the club have been linked with all manner of other names – including sporting director of the 777 Group who own Geona, Standard Liege, Hertha Berlin and Vasco da Gama – Johannes Spors.
Now, a fresh update has emerged.
What insiders are now saying about Newcastle United and a new sporting director
According to The Athletic, Spors remains interested in the role at Newcastle.
The club, however, have not yet offered him a contract and suggestions within “recruitment circles” suggest Newcastle are in fact considering alternatives.
Newcastle are already way behind schedule
Ashworth leaving so soon was obviously not planned, meaning Newcastle had to react quickly.
Appointments in a role as pivotal as a sporting director clearly cannot be rushed but it is interesting to note the club initially wanted to a new one in by the end of May.
It means any incoming now would be arriving in the midst of a transfer window, which cannot be an easy process.
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