Club psychologist’s role may change, says boss
“No!
NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe has hinted that the role of club psychologist Dr Ian Mitchell could change in the future after the former England medic made a “very impressive” start to life at St James’ Park.
After working with the Three Lions during their World Cup 2018 campaign, when England reached the semi-finals of the competition in Russia, and with Wales when Chris
Coleman’s side also made it to the last four of Euro 2016, Dr Mitchell was drafted in by departing sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The role of Dr Mitchell had been played down a little by Howe at the turn of the year when he stated that he would be working throughout the club rather than coming into the dressing room for team talks amid a rocky spell.
Howe said: “Mitch has really settled in well here. He is doing some good work behind the scenes.
“He’s not so much involved with the training currently or any of the build-up to games.
“But I am sure through time that may change and he may come closer to us.
“At the moment, he is doing a lot of work with individuals around the training ground and he’s been very impressive.”
NEWCASTLE United’s search to replace Dan Ashworth continues with Rui Pedro Braz of Benfica the latest name touted to become new Toon supremo.
Reports in Portugal this week, via Bola, suggest that a meeting took place in London with Braz and Newcastle representatives as the Magpies look to fill the role.
Paul Mitchell is thought to be another on the shortlist, with Newcastle aware of time ticking down towards the new summer transfer window.
The truth is though that much of Newcastle’s summer window work has been under way in any case, with Eddie Howe working closely with head of recruitment Steve Nickson and his assistant Andy Howe since Ashworth’s exit was confirmed.
Barring an alarming slide into the bottom half, Howe looks set to start next season in the hotseat despite on and off talk of Jose Mourinho being drafted in at St James’ Park.
The ex-chelsea and Spurs boss touted his services again over the weekend when telling reporters: “I don’t have a club, I’m free. Don’t worry, this summer I want to go back to work.”
Work for next season with Howe in charge is already well under way, with a post-season tour to Australia and long haul pre-season tour, with details to be confirmed, to be overseen by the former AFC Bournemouth boss.
Howe has already warned there will be no major overhaul with the squad but business is on the cards and three or four signings, plus outgoing business is expected on Tyneside.
Howe said earlier this month: “Without trying to predict the summer, which is very difficult to do, I don’t see a way we can have a mass overhaul.
“It’s almost impossible because of Financial Fair Play rules. Any player that we lose from our squad has to be replaced, and it costs a lot of money to find elite Premier League players. I’m sure there will be trading, but I’m not sure how much.”
Newcastle are looking to make an £840,000-per-month saving as they look to offload Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis, Ryan
Fraser and Jeff Hendrick, a move that will bolster the wage budget for the head coach.