‘Impressive’ Newcastle United addition spotted in Austria – and it isn’t Anthony Elanga
Eddie Howe Lifts the Lid on Newcastle United’s Appointment of Martin Mark as Set-Piece Coach
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has opened up about the club’s recent decision to bring Martin Mark into the backroom staff as their new first-team set-piece coach—an appointment that signals a significant shift in the Magpies’ tactical development ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Mark joins Newcastle after an impressive three-and-a-half-year spell with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland, where he played a pivotal role in revolutionising the club’s set-piece strategies. Despite the growing importance of set-piece routines in modern football, Newcastle were among seven Premier League clubs last season—including Crystal Palace, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, West Ham, and Wolves—who did not employ a dedicated set-piece specialist. That gap has now been addressed, with Howe confident that Mark is the right man for the job.
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Strategic Move to Elevate Newcastle’s Set-Piece Execution
Earlier in the year, Newcastle publicly advertised the position, calling for an “experienced and innovative elite-level coach” to take charge of both attacking and defensive set plays. The club was in search of a figure capable of designing, planning, and executing set-piece routines with the precision required at the top level of English football. According to Howe, this was not a rushed decision but rather a long-term objective that required careful consideration.
“We’ve been looking to fill this role for probably two-and-a-half years,” Howe admitted. “But for us, it was never about simply ticking a box. We needed the right person. Jason [Tindall] has been doing an outstanding job covering set plays during that period, but the demands of the modern game are immense. The level of detail involved is staggering, and it became clear that we needed a dedicated expert.”
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A Thorough Vetting Process: The Right Person and the Right Personality
Eddie Howe is known for being meticulous when it comes to building his coaching team. Every appointment is not only about qualifications but also about chemistry—ensuring new staff members align with the club’s ethos and working style. Martin Mark was no exception.
“We had numerous Zoom calls with Martin over the summer,” Howe revealed. “Those conversations weren’t just about his tactical acumen; they were about his personality, his philosophy, his mindset. We wanted to be sure he would blend well into our culture here at Newcastle.”
Howe added that Mark had already made a strong impression during his early days with the squad: “He’s got a real presence about him. He’s confident, focused, and driven. We’re excited to see what kind of positive influence he can have.”
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Set-Piece Coaching: A Shared Responsibility
While Martin Mark will take on the bulk of the work, Howe was quick to point out that the responsibility for set plays won’t fall on his shoulders alone. The workload is simply too vast for one individual to manage.
“Set plays include everything—corners, free-kicks, goal-kicks, both offensive and defensive,” Howe said. “To get the level of detail we want, you need a collaborative effort. Jason Tindall and Kieran Taylor, our set-piece analyst, will still be heavily involved. It’s a shared duty, but Martin will have a leading role.”
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Mark’s Track Record: A Proven Specialist
Mark arrives on Tyneside with an impressive résumé. According to Newcastle’s official statement, he was instrumental in implementing a cutting-edge set-piece system at FC Midtjylland that played a key role in the club’s success.
Under head coach Thomas Thomasberg, Midtjylland claimed the Danish Superliga title in the 2023–24 season and topped the league standings again during the 2024–25 regular season. Remarkably, 27 of their 64 league goals in the most recent campaign came directly from set plays—a statistic that highlights the effectiveness of Mark’s methods. His influence was also evident in Midtjylland’s strong performance in European competition, where they reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
Mark also brings experience from working with Danish clubs at the youth level, including Midtjylland and Aalborg BK. His developmental background and emphasis on tactical detail align well with Newcastle’s long-term vision.
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What to Expect: Early Signs in Pre-Season
Martin Mark has already joined up with the Newcastle squad at their pre-season training camp in Austria. Fans may get their first glimpse of his influence during Saturday’s friendly against Scottish champions Celtic—a potential preview of what’s to come under his guidance.
With Eddie Howe and his staff aiming to fine-tune every aspect of performance heading into the new season, the addition of Martin Mark marks a clear statement of intent. Newcastle are not only looking to compete—they’re striving to evolve tactically and gain every possible edge in the Premier League and beyond.