The player transfer domino was not enough, so it look like the executive hire domino is also falling into place at Manchester United.
After Ineos formalised their executive structure with the hiring of Dan Ashworth and Christopher Vivell to follow, it left a spot open at Newcastle United.
Ever since first reports of United’s interest in Ashworth emerged, both clubs had been linked to similar highly-rated names like Dougie Freedman from Crystal Palace.
While United were looking to fill the head of recruitment role, which they ultimately did Christopher Vivell due to his eye for bargains, Newcastle needed a sporting director.
They have now appointed a name for that position who has long been linked with United, even before Sir Jim Ratcliffe had taken part ownership of the club.
The revolving chair of executives
Newcastle have confirmed the appointment of Paul Mitchell as their new sporting director in a move that will link them and Man United forever.
Not only does Mitchell replace Ashworth, he was one of the candidates United were looking at before they zeroed in on the Englishman.
Even when John Murtough ultimately got the sporting director job under the Glazers, Mitchell was one of the names who was looked at for the role.
His talent ID, recruitment, and negotiation skills have marked him out as an elite name in the world of sporting directors, with his body of work at Southampton, Tottenham, AS Monaco, and RB Leipzig containing many more hits than misses.
He will be closely scrutinised as Newcastle, much like United, have flirted with breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.
At Newcastle, they wanted to avoid Ashworth joining United in this transfer window due to the wealth of knowledge of the club targets and operations he would take with him.
That could be a problem despite Mitchell’s appointment, as some recent reports have indicated, with United having a preliminary interest in Anthony Gordon.
Another dimension to Newcastle’s relation with United
Since the takeover at Newcastle, it has been expected that they will shop in the same market as the elites of the league who have financial firepower.
While rules and regulations have prevented them from reckless spending the likes of Manchester City did early on in their new regime, Newcastle’s relations have particularly soured with United.
Ashworth saga played a huge role but United having the leg up on the pitch despite being in a lean phase has contributed as well.
Erik ten Hag’s men beat them in the Carabao Cup final to elongate their wait for a major trophy and since then the Magpies have reveled in their victories over United.
This appointment of Mitchell stretches the “rivalry” which has so far been more from Newcastle’s side than United’s as they will be trying to gain an upper hand on the man they thought would lead them in the new era for a long time- Dan Ashworth.
For United, they would hope it’s business as usual as hiring the best people for most important positions has been the Ineos mantra in their time so far at United.
It is now up to Ashworth to prove they were right when they chose him over Paul Mitchell, among others. The judgement won’t be hard to make now that Mitchel is at Newcastle competing in the same echelon of the league.
