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Dougie Freedman has emerged as the frontrunner to become Newcastle United’s next director of football as the club prioritises Premier League experience for Dan Ashworth’s replacement.
Newcastle are in the final stages of a two-month process in which they cast the net wide for a new director of football. i understands the role will be tweaked slightly as Newcastle look to improve their recruitment and scouting under the new man.
All roads appear now to be leading to Freedman: i has been told that the club believe his experience in the English top flight makes him the most suitable candidate.
The 49-year-old has a good reputation in the game and recruitment at Crystal Palace has been exceptional during seven years at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles have signed the sort of young, exciting talent that Newcastle are also looking to recruit and Freedman is understood to have been key in the signings of the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton. The Magpies coveted Wharton at Blackburn but did not sign him due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.
The global sporting director of 777 Partners’ multi-club model, Johannes Spors, has also been linked with the role, as has former Roma director of football Tiago Pinto. Both made it through to the final interview stage and could yet figure in their thinking, but Newcastle’s desire to get someone in who can hit the ground running appears to have won the day.
Freedman – who was also in the running for a role at Manchester United under Ashworth – was initially thought to be lukewarm on the prospect but has held positive talks with Newcastle, who used executive recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson to draw up a long list of candidates.
That included names as varied as legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini and Portuguese ex-Newcastle player Hugo Viana, who both appeared to be keen on the job before Premier League experience was prioritised.
The new man will also help oversee a renewed push to develop talent. Newcastle are trying to sign Arsenal’s 18-year-old Amario Cozier-Duberry. The winger, likened to Bukayo Saka by Arsenal coaches, is in the final two months of his contract but the Gunners also hope to agree a new long-term deal.
i understands that the club have earmarked funds for further development players this summer after the success of winger Yankuba Minteh, who has had a breakthrough season on loan at Feyenoord.
Sources in the Netherlands have told i that Minteh is set to return to the Eredivisie next season after spending pre-season with Newcastle.
FFP concerns mean they know signing younger players with potential to develop will be key. Assistant loans manager Peter Ramage told i that they would look to replicate the Minteh strategy next season.
“It’s been a good experience for us working with Feyenoord. The hope, down the line, is we’ll be bringing in more Yankuba Mintehs and they will go out to Champions League clubs and top European clubs,” he said.
