New CEO and new Sporting Director
Lots of reports saying we have made our decisions on new CEO and new Sporting Director.
Which would be great in regards to getting ourselves sorted.
New CEO - David Hopkinson.
Newcastle United are closing in on appointing former Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson as our new CEO
Hopkinson, was most recently the President and COO of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation, and is the leading candidate for the ***** role.
The Toronto native on his career so far:
"Throughout my 25+ year career, I've had the privilege of stewarding some of the world's most iconic sports and entertainment brands through periods of significant growth and evolution. At MSG Sports, I directed comprehensive business strategy across legendary venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas.
Previously at Real Madrid, I led global partnerships for the world's most valuable football club, engaging with a 1B+ global fanbase. At MLSE, I spearheaded transformative initiatives including the landmark Scotiabank Arena naming rights agreement ($800M+ CDN), while overseeing multiple professional sports franchises."
New Sporting Director - Ross Wilson
The 41-year-old has a good relationship with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who is involved in the process along with majority shareholders, Saudi Arabia?s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and co-owner James Reuben, which is thought to count in his favour.
PIF have also been aware of Wilson for several years, including interest when he was sporting director at Rangers between 2019 and 2023, in which time the club won their first league title for a decade and reached the Europa League final.
Wilson helped take Forest back into European football for the first time in 30 years last season but the Newcastle job would be another step up in a career that started off at Falkirk before spells with Watford, Huddersfield Town, Southampton and Rangers.
His profile as a sporting director who creates a strong club culture and builds the infrastructure needed to support a manager is also seen as being a good fit for Howe who is hands-on with recruitment and football matters.?
If we can get these sorted pronto I think it will really help us settle again rather that appear a bit rudderless.
These are also very good choices, you can see the experience they bring and how they'd fit in the culture trying to be built.
