Newcastle United are still searching for a new director of football with Michael Emenalo seemingly out to the running for the job – and Ramon Planes seems to be a prime target.
Newcastle have their new manager in Eddie Howe but a director of football has to be the next priority.
Emenalo was seen as the man for the job. Formerly of Chelsea and Monaco, Emenalo had talk with Newcastle.
Mehrdad Ghodoussi claims Emenalo was never offered the job, but 90Min claim Emenalo has backed away from Newcastle.
So who now? Newcastle ideally need somebody to come in for the January window, but time is running out.
Planes the next big Newcastle target
Reports from Super Deporte and Cadena Ser last week reported that Newcastle are in advanced talks with Ramon Planes.
The 54-year-old is available after quitting Barcelona in November.
Planes has been a sporting director throughout his career, mostly in Spain with L’Hospitalet, Racing Santander, Alaves, Lleida, Espanyol, Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Getafe and Barca.
Planes even spent time working at Tottenham Hotspur given that he is a close friend of Mauricio Pochettino from Espanyol.
Planes has experience of working at a big club, which is the kind of ambition Newcastle need in this new era.
After many years as a sporting director, Planes has the credentials and experience Newcastle are seeking.
Planes would be an ambitious appointment and of a similar calibre to Emenalo, so he should be Newcastle’s next priority for the job.
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