Newcastle CEO search heats up as Man Utd chief who stepped up for Dan Ashworth applies for role
The search for Newcastle United’s next chief executive has taken a fascinating twist with Manchester United’s highly-regarded operations chief Collette Roche emerging as a surprise candidate.
As the Magpies continue their meticulous hunt for Darren Eales’ successor, the potential poaching of a key figure from Old Trafford would represent poetic justice after last year’s Dan Ashworth saga.
Eales leaves enormous shoes to fill after his transformative two-year tenure that saw Newcastle establish themselves as Champions League contenders while navigating Financial Fair Play constraints.
His shock departure due to health reasons forced the club’s Saudi-backed ownership into an unexpected executive search, one they’re determined not to rush despite Eales working through his notice period.
The Daily Mail reveals Roche has formally applied for the St James’ Park vacancy, bringing an intriguing profile to the selection process.
As one of the few senior executives to survive Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford purge, the Manchester United COO has seen her influence grow significantly in recent months – particularly following Ashworth’s abrupt dismissal.
Her hands-on involvement in United’s stadium redevelopment plans makes her particularly appealing to Newcastle’s ambitious ownership group, who harbor their own grand designs for expanding St James’ Park to a 68,000-seater arena.
Roche’s candidacy adds spice to an already compelling narrative between the two clubs. Newcastle still feel aggrieved by United’s protracted pursuit of Ashworth, which eventually saw their former sporting director placed on gardening leave before his eventual move.
While Paul Mitchell has since filled that void impressively, the opportunity to recruit Roche – who stepped into Ashworth’s vacated responsibilities at United – would provide satisfying symmetry for the Magpies hierarchy.
The Manchester executive isn’t the only high-profile name in contention. Former Arsenal chiefs Ivan Gazidis and Vinai Venkatesham have both been loosely linked, though neither appears to be the frontrunner at this stage.
Newcastle’s ownership group PIF are understood to want an innovative leader who can drive commercial growth while maintaining the club’s upward trajectory on the pitch – a delicate balancing act given Premier League financial regulations.
Roche’s operational expertise could prove invaluable as Newcastle navigate this critical juncture. With Mitchell establishing himself as Howe’s transfer market ally and the club preparing for another summer of strategic recruitment, the new CEO will need to hit the ground running.
The potential for stadium expansion and continued commercial development adds further complexity to the role.
For Newcastle’s ambitious owners, this appointment represents more than just filling an executive vacancy – it’s about securing the right architect for their next phase of growth.
Whether Roche proves to be that person remains to be seen, but her emergence as a serious candidate demonstrates the pulling power Newcastle now commands in football’s executive circles.
One thing is certain: after the Ashworth saga, the irony wouldn’t be lost on anyone if Newcastle’s next major hire comes at Manchester United’s expense.