Paul Mitchell has been unveiled as the new sporting director of Monaco via the club’s official website, ending any speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.
In an era where recruitment specialists and transfer market experts are more in vogue than ever before, a man with Mitchell’s track record was always going to be in high demand once it became clear that he was looking for a fresh start.
A journeyman, lower league footballer in his playing days, the 38-year-old has really made a name for himself since swapping his boots for the boardroom.
He was the brains behind the operation at Southampton as the South Coast giants established themselves as one of the Premier League’s best-run clubs during the Mauricio Pochettino era, sniffing out a whole host of bargain signings.
Mitchell was also credited with the arrivals of Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier and more after following the Argentine coach to Tottenham Hotspur.
So, once Pochettino emerged as Newcastle’s first choice managerial target, it felt only a matter of time before Mitchell’s name was brought up. The Shields Gazette in May reported that a man who has been pulling up trees at RB Leipzig in recent years was indeed in the Magpies’ sights.
But in what looks like a major blow not just to Newcastle’s recruitment plans but also their hopes of luring Pochettino to St James’ Park, Mitchell has instead chosen the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo.
“I am looking forward to coming to AS Monaco. I would like to thank (vice-president and CEO) Mr Oleg Petrov and the Club for their trust. I would also like to thank Red Bull for the years I spent at their side,” Mitchell says.
“I am looking forward to taking up my position, meeting the teams and starting to work together to develop the project and establish a sustainable philosophy for the club. “
While that much-discussed Saudi Arabian takeover could transform Newcastle into one of the richest clubs on planet earth, Financial Fair Play limitations will restrict their ability to splash the cash like a kid in a candy store.
Astute, affordable signings will still be the order of the day. Mitchell’s eye for a bargain, then, would have come in rather useful.
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