Foundations are being laid as a new empire is constructed at United
BRINGING IN DARREN EALES AS NEW CHIEF EXEC IS THE LATEST PIECE IN THE JIGSAW
SLOWLY but surely the building bricks are being levered into position as those in charge relentlessly build a new fortress at Newcastle.
First a fresh manager Eddie Howe, then a succession of trophy signings like Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, an admired sports director Dan Ashworth, and now a chief executive Darren Eales.
Director Mehrdad Ghodoussi summed it up beautifully: “We’re building a skyscraper, so we need to make sure our foundations are solid.”
The work goes on and on. Mike Ashley banished, Steve Bruce banished, Lee Charnley banished. Literally yesterday’s men.
Eales, about to join next month, is the newest of the new acquisitions.
He worked with Dan Ashworth at West Bromwich, was at Spurs when Gareth Bale was king, and sold Miggy Almiron to Newcastle earning Atlanta a whopping £20m.
Yeah, he has background.
The key of course is the renewal of the Ashworth-eales partnership. The Double D Show
- Dan and Darren - will shape the future of
Newcastle United.
Big guns must have respect for one another and be able to work together.
Eales would never have been appointed from across the pond without Ashworth giving it the thumbs up.
Darren, English born and only 49 years of age, worked in the front office at West Brom alongside Dan from 2006 to 2010.
While on the subject of reunions who would have thought Eales would be making a second one at SJP where he will be united once again with Miggy The Marathon Man three and a half years after he concluded the £20m deal.
Global football, it would appear, is a smaller village than might be imagined.
What has not been realised by many is that United’s new chief executive already has significant links with Britain. He has been on the board of Scottish Premiership’s Aberdeen as a nonexecutive director since the Dons formed a strategic partnership with the American club in November 2019.
I would expect that position to be relinquished now Eales is coming to Tyneside.
No one should underestimate Newcastle’s latest scoop. Signings like Eales are as important in the long term as those on-field who are also currently being ushered in. He has been president of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United from back in 2014, will remain with them through to August 8, and return to our PL on August 22 with the new season just under way.
Naturally Eales has said all the right things to pave the way for his acceptance by the rank and file. Indeed he was very much a man of the fans back in Atlanta so the transition will be easy.
“Newcastle United is both a giant of a club, and the heartbeat of its community,” he said buying naturally into the way new owners bond with the faithful.
“Every time I have visited St James’ Park, I’ve been overwhelmed by the passion of the fans.
“This is a club with an amazingly rich heritage, and I am delighted to be joining for this new chapter in its long history.”
Eales has been behind the growth and growth of Atlanta since its 2017 debut as an MLS expansion side.
They won the 2018 MLS Cup and the 2019 US Open Cup and are amongst the attendance leaders in the North American league.
“Darren Eales is one of the best hires I’ve made in my career and the strength and success of Atlanta United to date is a credit to him not only as a leader but as a passionate football man,” maintained Atlanta owner Arthur Blank.
“Darren is more than ready to lead Newcastle and I know he’ll be an outstanding leader of that club.”
Our man has the awards to back his stellar reputation – he has been named the MLS Executive of the Year on two occasions as well as becoming World Football Summit Executive of the Year in 2019.
Aye we look forward to a fruitful partnership.