Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on the appointment of a new sporting director, with Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson emerging as the leading candidate to take over the role.
According to reports from talkSPORT, the Magpies are now in advanced discussions with Forest as they look to finalize an agreement that would see Wilson make the move to St James’ Park.
Negotiations are believed to be centered around a compensation package, as the 41-year-old remains under contract at the City Ground.
The sporting director position at Newcastle has been far from smooth in recent years. The club has seen a revolving door of executives since the Saudi-backed ownership took over, each arrival marked by both optimism and eventual turbulence.
Dan Ashworth was the first major appointment, bringing his reputation for meticulous planning and player development.
However, his tenure was cut short when Manchester United came calling, leaving a gap that the club quickly sought to fill.
In July last year, Paul Mitchell stepped in, having previously built an impressive résumé through successful spells at RB Leipzig and AS Monaco. His arrival was intended to bring a more structured approach to recruitment and long-term squad building.
Yet, it soon became clear that Mitchell and manager Eddie Howe were not aligned in their footballing philosophies.
Tensions reportedly grew behind the scenes over transfer priorities and player strategy, leading to Mitchell’s decision to part ways with the club less than a year after taking charge.
Since his departure in May, Newcastle have been carefully evaluating their options. The recent appointment of David Hopkinson as CEO marked a shift toward stability and organization at the executive level.
Hopkinson, known for his pragmatic leadership style, has been heavily involved in identifying the right profile for the sporting director role someone who can work closely with Howe while maintaining the broader vision for the club’s growth under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Ross Wilson has been on Newcastle’s radar for months, and sources suggest he has impressed during a detailed interview process.
His track record speaks volumes, having held key roles at clubs across the UK, including Falkirk, Watford, Huddersfield Town, Southampton, and Rangers.
His experience at Southampton in particular where he helped develop a clear recruitment model and supported the emergence of young talents has been highlighted as one of his major strengths.
Wilson later moved to Rangers, where he played a part in rebuilding the club’s competitive edge under Steven Gerrard, before joining Nottingham Forest to assist in their Premier League consolidation.
What makes Wilson a strong fit for Newcastle is his reputation for collaboration and relationship management. He is said to have a strong professional understanding with Eddie Howe, something that could prove essential after the strained dynamic between Howe and Mitchell.
The club’s owners are believed to value harmony between the football department and executive management, especially with ambitions to maintain consistent European qualification and challenge for domestic honors in the coming years.
However, one lingering concern among some at St James’ Park is whether replacing Mitchell with Wilson represents a significant enough upgrade.
While Wilson has proven experience within British football, some critics argue that his recent stints have not demonstrated the kind of innovation or global scouting influence Newcastle might need to compete with Europe’s elite.
The club is eager to find a balance between steady hands-on leadership and the kind of forward-thinking recruitment approach that can attract world-class talent.
Even so, Wilson’s appointment would signal a pragmatic move by Newcastle one focused on continuity, stability, and a shared vision with the manager.
The Magpies’ project under Eddie Howe has been built on strong team spirit, tactical discipline, and gradual progress rather than lavish spending alone.
In Wilson, the board appears to see a football operator capable of maintaining that direction while modernizing the club’s infrastructure and recruitment networks.
With negotiations said to be nearing completion, it seems only a matter of time before Wilson is officially announced as Newcastle’s new sporting director.
If the deal goes through, his first major tasks will include assisting Howe in the January transfer window and overseeing long-term squad planning to balance financial sustainability with on-field ambition.
For a club with big aspirations and a rapidly growing global profile, this next appointment could prove vital in shaping the next chapter of Newcastle United’s evolution.
Ross Wilson’s arrival, should it be confirmed, will mark another step toward building a cohesive leadership structure capable of turning the Magpies’ potential into lasting success.
