Les Ferdinand hits nail on head as Newcastle icon explains drastic Paul Mitchell move
Les Ferdinand has provided Newcastle United fans with valuable insight into the relationship between the club’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, and head coach Eddie Howe. As a former Newcastle legend and experienced football executive, having served as Queens Park Rangers’ director of football from 2014 to 2023, Ferdinand has a deep understanding of the dynamics between these two key roles. His connections to both Mitchell and Howe, as well as his familiarity with Newcastle’s passionate fanbase, enable him to offer a unique perspective on how the two should work together for the club’s future.
Mitchell recently made waves by candidly describing Newcastle’s scouting network as “unfit for purpose.” He also distanced himself from taking full responsibility for what many saw as a lackluster transfer window. These remarks caused quite a stir among the club’s supporters. However, Ferdinand is not surprised by Mitchell’s bluntness and has a clear understanding of why he made those comments.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Ferdinand was asked about whether the club should be cautious in managing Howe’s feelings regarding transfers. He responded, “I think they do. They don’t want to upset the apple cart. They’ve brought in a new sporting director, and he’s likely been given a clear mandate about what the club wants from him.” Ferdinand’s knowledge of Mitchell’s methods as a sporting director highlights his focus on finding value for the football club, a key aspect as Newcastle transitions into a team that competes at the top of the Premier League.
Ferdinand elaborated on how Newcastle, when struggling in the lower half of the league in past seasons, needed to bring in experienced players to climb the table. Now that the club has stabilized its position, the focus has shifted toward finding players who provide value—not just on the pitch, but also financially. “If you don’t bring in players who offer good value,” Ferdinand explained, “you’ll end up in a position where you have to sell your best talent just to comply with financial regulations like PSR and FFP. That’s the last thing Newcastle fans want to see.”
Ferdinand also discussed the importance of collaboration between Howe and Mitchell in transfer decisions, a topic of keen interest for Newcastle fans. He believes the relationship between the manager and sporting director is crucial to the club’s long-term success. When asked who should have the final say on transfers, Ferdinand was clear: “There should never be a situation where a player is brought in for the first-team without the manager’s approval.” Drawing on his own experience at QPR, Ferdinand explained that for youth or development squads, the sporting director could operate more independently. However, when it comes to the first team, the manager must be fully on board with any new addition.
“For me, it’s essential that the manager has his say,” Ferdinand emphasized. “This isn’t about a power struggle—it’s about collaboration. Decisions should be made together, with both parties working in harmony to ensure the club is heading in the right direction.” He underlined the importance of unity, suggesting that Newcastle’s success will depend on this balance between the sporting director and the manager, ensuring that all moves are aligned with the club’s ambitions.
Ferdinand’s comments provide reassurance to Newcastle fans concerned about the evolving dynamics at the club. His words emphasize the importance of striking a balance between the business side of football and the needs of the team on the pitch, with collaboration at the heart of this process. With figures like Mitchell and Howe working together, Newcastle’s future, both in terms of squad development and financial stability, looks to be in good hands.