Newcastle United have confirmed a significant shake-up in their leadership structure, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the club. Last month, Darren Eales stepped down as the club’s chief executive officer after a three-year tenure, paving the way for a fresh face in the top executive role.
Eales, who became the public face of Newcastle during pivotal moments, including the departures of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, leaves behind a period defined by stability, growth, and ambition.
David Hopkinson, the former president of Madison Square Garden Sports, has been appointed as Newcastle’s new CEO, marking his first return to football since overseeing global partnerships at Real Madrid.
Hopkinson spoke enthusiastically about joining the club, highlighting both his admiration for its heritage and his ambition to help position Newcastle United among the elite of world football.
I am incredibly honoured to join Newcastle United at such an exciting time in the club’s history,” Hopkinson said. “This club represents something truly special. It has extraordinary history and heritage, incredibly passionate supporters, and ownership, players and staff who are committed to excellence.
Having worked with iconic teams across different countries, I understand what it takes to build sustainable success at the highest levels of global sport.
I greatly admire what has been achieved by the club so far, and I am excited and motivated by what is ahead as we strive to position Newcastle United among the world’s elite clubs.”
Eales reflected warmly on his time at Newcastle, expressing gratitude to everyone involved with the club.
“On behalf of my family and I, I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone connected to this special football club for welcoming us into the Newcastle United family.
To all supporters, staff, players, coaches and ownership, you have made my three years here so incredible and I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved together,” he said.
“I have made memories that will stay with me forever, and I’m also excited about what the future holds and the successes the club can go on to achieve. I want to warmly welcome David Hopkinson as the club’s new CEO.
Newcastle United is in great hands, and I’d like to wish David and the executive team every success as the club continues on the next part of its exciting journey.”
A recent update from Companies House confirmed that Eales officially resigned from all positions linked to Newcastle United on September 17, 2025.
While no new appointments have been recorded at Newcastle-linked companies, Simon Capper, the club’s chief financial officer, remains the sole director of 24 Newcastle-related entities.
It’s worth noting that Eales was never listed as a director of the football club itself, which includes six official directors: PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, RB Sports & Media’s Jamie Reuben, Jacobo Solis, Abdulmajid Al-Hagbani, Asmaa Rezeeq, and Roger Thornton.
The timing of Eales’ departure coincides with a period of significant change and investment behind the scenes at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s summer transfer activity reflected the club’s ambition, and executive changes now mirror that drive for growth.
Alongside Hopkinson’s arrival, Ross Wilson joined the club from Nottingham Forest as the new sporting director, taking over from Paul Mitchell, who left in June.
Wilson’s appointment, combined with Hopkinson’s leadership, aims to strengthen both the operational and sporting sides of Newcastle United as they continue their push for domestic and European success.
Under Hopkinson’s guidance, the club is expected to further professionalize its global operations while maintaining a focus on nurturing talent and maximizing the value of its squad.
Newcastle’s ambitions have long extended beyond the Premier League, and the restructuring signals a commitment to sustainable growth, commercial expansion, and competitiveness at the highest level.
Hopkinson’s experience with elite sports organizations worldwide provides Newcastle with a unique perspective, particularly in balancing the commercial, operational, and sporting aspects of the club.
This period of transition is critical for Newcastle United, as the leadership reshuffle comes alongside ambitious targets on and off the pitch.
Fans can expect a more structured approach to transfers, youth development, and global branding initiatives, with Hopkinson and Wilson leading a team designed to meet both short-term goals and long-term ambitions.
As Newcastle continues to compete domestically and in European competitions, the club’s refreshed executive structure aims to ensure that St James’ Park is not only a fortress for football but also a hub of strategic growth and international influence.
| Newcastle United Executive Team (2025) | Position |
|---|---|
| David Hopkinson | CEO |
| Simon Capper | CFO & Director of 24 Newcastle entities |
| Yasir Al-Rumayyan | Director (PIF Governor) |
| Jamie Reuben | Director (RB Sports & Media) |
| Jacobo Solis | Director |
| Abdulmajid Al-Hagbani | Director |
| Asmaa Rezeeq | Director |
| Roger Thornton | Director |
| Ross Wilson | Sporting Director |
The changes behind the scenes, coupled with continued investment in the squad, reflect Newcastle United’s ambitions to cement their place among Europe’s elite clubs.
With a refreshed executive team and a clear vision for sustainable growth, St James’ Park is set to enter an exciting era both on and off the field.
The combination of strategic leadership and footballing ambition positions Newcastle to compete at the highest levels while building a lasting legacy for the club and its passionate supporters.
