New sporting chief aiming to drive the Magpies on towards their long-term goals

NEWCASTLE United have been crying out for a number of changes in the past 12 months, despite enjoying their most successful season since 1969.

- By LEE RYDER

While Eddie Howe and his coaching team continued to excel, guiding Newcastle to the Carabao Cup and Champions League, off the field there have been a few holes and a few questions.

If Paul Mitchell, the man Ross Wilson has just replaced, felt the scouting system wasn’t “fit for purpose”, what was done to remedy that?

Did Mitchell ever get that fixed? We never really found out, with the ex-Monaco man leaving after just one year. What is Wilson expected to bring with him?

Those close to him say a clear plan, a strategy, a modern infrastructure, a flourishing youth system and a topnotch recruitment department.

During Mitchell's tenure it felt at times like he was the central character. There were certainly early brushes with Howe which didn’t land well.

In contrast, it already feels like Wilson is prepared to push Howe to the front and let him do his job, while working on the bigger picture in the background. Wilson has been quoted as saying previously: “Nobody is more important than the manager”.

The proof of the pudding will be how well equipped Newcastle are in the next two windows and what the Academy looks like in three years' time.

CEO David Hopkinson has lifted the lid on Wilson’s appointment at St James’ Park - admitting that things could soon change on and off the field.

Hopkinson spoke of “change” when appointed earlier this month, and he sounds like a man open to a few tweaks after some bumpy transfer windows in recent years.

Newcastle splashed out £250m in the summer to sign stars like Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga.