According to The Independent, Owen Brown is confident that he will be named Newcastle United’s new director of football.
It’s claimed that Newcastle’s potential new owners are making plans for behind the scenes, despite their takeover not even being done yet.
The £300million deal has been dragging on, but plans are still being made. Contact has been made with Lille sporting director Luis Campos, though his arrival seems unlikely.
The report notes that Brown is ‘confident’ he will be director of football. The plan would be for him to work alongside Frank McParland in that role.
Both men are close to Rafael Benitez. Brown was Benitez’s advisor for many years, and has managerial experience in non-league football with Vauxhall Motors.
McParland worked with Benitez at Liverpool. Then, the Daily Mail reported in 2016 that Benitez wanted to reunite with McParland at Newcastle, whilst the Liverpudlian was working with Rangers.
Some may wonder whether appointing Brown and McParland may lead to Benitez’s return. Steve Bruce’s position is far from secure, and Benitez’s relationship with Brown, McParland and Amanda Staveley will no doubt lead to rumours about Benitez coming back.
Another name being touted with a role at St James’ Park is Domineco Teti. You would be forgiven for not being familiar with Teti; his last post was as APOEL Nicosia’s sporting director.
The 43-year-old held a similar role at Novara, Sampdoria and Lugano in the past. He doesn’t smack of being a big-name addition, but Newcastle’s potential owners seemingly want to build a team of directors with Brown, McParland and Teti leading the way.
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