Newcastle must avoid the same mistake that Manchester United only recently rectified or their entire project will be rendered “pointless”, according to Danny Mills.
Excitement at St. James’ Park is at an all-time high following their Saudi-led takeover last week. Chelsea and Manchester City serve as prime examples of how a huge cash injection can bring quick success in England. However, both those clubs were already established higher up the table than Newcastle can realistically claim to be at present.
Who Newcastle will sign in the transfer market has understandably grabbed the attention. However, before the January window rolls around, new appointments are expected to be made at both manager and sporting director.
And speaking to Football Insider, former England right-back Danny Mills believes their sporting director appointment is the most important decision of all the ones Newcastle’s owners now have to make.
The outlet clte a previous report that claimed Man City’s Brian Marwood was on their radar. Mills believes Marwood would be a suitable fit. Furthermore, he cited Manchester United as a prime example of how money can be wasted without clear direction.
United, until appointing John Murtough in March, had been without a sporting director in the Ed Woodward era.
“Clearly the head coach is a very, very important role and a very, very important job,” said Mills.
“But I think the more important thing to get right first is the technical or sporting director. They are the person that appoints the manager. They also sort out the head of recruitment and defines the long-term blueprint of the football club.
“If you get that wrong, the rest is pointless. But if you get that right you can chop and change the managers, as we’ve seen Chelsea over the years. They’ve been very successful within that.
“The argument against Man United has been ‘They’ve got no sporting director, they’ve got no direction, they’ve got no blueprint, their recruitment has been poor’.
“Getting the right person in as whatever you want to call it chief exec, sporting director, is one of the most important roles that Newcastle United need to get right.
“Brian has been there seen it and done it before. He was at the FA before that.”
Liverpool and Sunderland among best picks as top four English leagues take shape
Raiola involvement could backfire after Pogba ‘offer’
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Manchester United ace Paul Pogba, though the involvement of super agent Mino Raiola could wind up scuppering a deal, per a report.
Pogba, 28, is in the final year of his contract with Manchester United. The club are understood to wish to tie the Frenchman down to fresh terms. However, Pogba is yet to make a final decision and is seemingly content to weigh up his options amid widespread interest from the continent.
ESPN have now provided a fresh update on the situation. They claim Barcelona have been ‘offered’ Pogba with agent Raiola ‘sounding out Europe’s heavyweights’.
On their end, cash-strapped Barcelona are stated to be receptive to the idea of signing Pogba for nothing. With their crippling financial debts well documented, Barca are now heavily reliant on free agent signings.
However, a pair of obstacles stand in the way of a potential switch. Firstly, Raiola could in fact be a barrier to the progress of his client’s deal. ESPN say Barcelona’s money issues are so dire that they may not even be able to afford Raiola’s commission.
Additionally, fitting Pogba’s massive wages into their salary structure would be a challenge. This comes at a time where many of their senior stars have been asked to take pay cuts.
READ MORE: Ronaldo snubs Messi, names who should win Ballon d’Or ‘without a doubt’
