Sporting director is ‘absolutely pivotal’, says Eddie

THE first manager press conference after the summer transfer window slammed shut is always jam packed with storylines.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

And yesterday's pre-Wolves press briefing with Eddie Howe at Newcastle United’s Benton training base was no different.

A line was drawn under the Alexander Isak transfer saga, two summer signings are missing through injury and the club-record signing is on day four of getting to know his new teammates.

But a major topic that perhaps got lost in the noise of a very newsworthy half an hour with the United boss was the prospect of the club employing a new sporting director, as they gear towards a new era at the top of the club.

The appointment of David Hopkinson as CEO was confirmed over the international break and Howe revealed that his initial conversations with Darren Eales’ replacement have been positive.

“Yeah, [we have had] several conversations” Howe said. “[{He is a] great person again, really great energy. I laugh because he’s very, very positive and I think he’s a great appointment.