Eddie Howe finally has a structure in place at Newcastle United after PIF got their house in order behind the scenes.
The summer transfer window would have been difficult enough to navigate even if Howe had both a sporting director and a CEO in place at Newcastle United.
The fact he didn’t, made life all the more difficult for the Magpies boss.
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Paul Mitchell, of course, resigned from his position as sporting director in June, while former CEO Darren Eales was sadly forced to step down on health grounds.
Howe urged PIF to appoint a sporting director and a CEO at Newcastle and the owners granted that wish after the window was shut.
David Hopkinson was appointed CEO in September, while Ross Wilson followed as sporting director just over a month later.
PIF have taken a lot of flak in recent months but Howe believes they’ve got those decisions right.
Eddie Howe hails the appointments of David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson
Howe was asked about the two during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.
He hailed their arrivals following their appointments by the Newcastle United owners as the club look to build for an exciting future.
Indeed, Hopkinson believes Newcastle can be the top club in world football by 2030, which certainly sounds good for supporters.
“Two brilliant additions to the club, I think, both of them,” he said.
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“I obviously have a lot more day-to-day contact with Ross than I do David because of the roles but David’s come in with a real energy and presence and, yes, ambition.
“I think that’s a great thing for the long-term future of the football club, someone with the energy to really take the club forward.
“Two brilliant additions. Two people that really care about Newcastle as well and are fitting in really, really well.”
Key Newcastle United figures are finally in agreement behind the scenes
It’s been well-documented that Howe had a difficult relationship with Mitchell during the latter’s tenure at the club.
That may well and have improved over time, but there’s little doubt that things got off to a rocky start.
Now, everything feels different, and infinitely more positive.
Hopkinson and Wilson are huge fans of Howe and it all seems rather aligned behind the scenes.
That hasn’t always been the case at the club, even despite the success of the PIF era on the pitch.
Time will tell if the club’s new structure raises them to new levels but the signs are certainly positive.