Newcastle United set to complete 'pivotal' deal with Nottingham Forest as agreement reached
Newcastle United are closing in on the appointment of a new sporting director.
Newcastle United have reportedly reached an agreement to appoint a new sporting director to succeed Paul Mitchell.
Mitchell left The Magpies at the start of the summer transfer window after less than a year in the role.
Without a sporting director in place, Newcastle signed Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa as part of a record-breaking spend. The club also received a Premier League record £130million fee for forward Alexander Isak.
As previously reported by The Gazette, Newcastle are set to appoint Ross Wilson as Mitchell’s successor as sporting director.
Ross Wilson agrees Newcastle United move
According to various reports, Wilson has agreed to become Newcastle’s new sporting director with ‘advanced talks’ now taking place with Nottingham Forest.
Wilson has been Forest’s sporting director since 2023 and has overseen the club’s rise from a relegation battle to European qualification over the past season. He has previous experience in similar roles at Rangers, Southampton and Huddersfield Town.
Journalist Ben Jacobs tweeted on Friday: “Ross Wilson has agreed to become Newcastle United’s new sporting director.
“#NUFC are now in advanced talks with Nottingham Forest. Newcastle have been keeping tabs on Wilson since he was at Rangers.”
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Changes behind the scenes at NUFC
Wilson’s expected appointment comes around a month after Newcastle confirmed the arrival of David Hopkinson as chief executive officer.
Hopkinson replaced the outgoing Darren Eales, who stepped down from his role due to health reasons.
Now Wilson will be the club’s third sporting director in three years following Mitchell and Dan Ashworth previously.
The Forest sporting director was identified prior to David Hopkinson’s arrival as CEO but will be the first major appointment made under his tenure.
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Wilson’s expected departure from Forest comes during a transitional time for the club following the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo and so far unsuccessful appointment of Ange Postecoglou as head coach.
The 41-year-old previously worked in academy football at Watford and at his hometown club, Falkirk, before moving into senior recruitment roles.