The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ex-atlanta United president relishes Newcastle CEO role
It has been nine months since Darren Eales was last at Atlanta United’s training ground. As he bounced up the stairs on a rainy Friday morning, it was almost as if he never left as president of the club to become CEO of Newcastle United in England’s Premier League in August.
As with Atlanta United, Eales seems to be doing things well in northeast England.
Newcastle remains tied for third in the Premier League after playing to a 2-2 draw Saturday against Leeds. The Magpies have won three of their last five matches. If results go favorably in Liverpool’s match against Leicester today, Newcastle could clinch an unexpected spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Eales was back in Atlanta in part to promote Newcastle’s three-game series of friendlies in the U.S. this summer, which will include a match against Chelsea at Mercedes-benz Stadium on July 26, and in part as a fact-finding and experience-seeking trip to gather ideas to boost the game-day experience and brand of his new employer.
Eales spent more than 30 minutes talking about everything from lessons learned with Atlanta United that he applied to Newcastle and things accomplished by the MLS club that he appreciates more now that he’s had time to reflect.
Some questions and answers have been edited for clarity:
Q: How does it feel to be back in Atlanta?
A: Oh, it’s, it’s really special because it’s been about nine months. Obviously, it’s been very busy at Newcastle from sort of hitting the ground. But, yeah, just great to be back, obviously landing with 28 degrees Celsius weather is very nice, a lot warmer than Newcastle. But, no, it’s great to be back here. And just to see familiar faces.
Q: So how did this friendly that’s going to be coming up between y’all and Chelsea come about?
A: The Premier League has always done traditionally, like a preseason tournament. It’s usually been in Hong Kong or in those sort of regions, but they wanted to do something in the United States.
It’s a slightly bigger tournament, used to be four teams; this is going to be a six-team summer series. I think it shows the importance of the United States market, obviously, with NBC and the investment they’ve given into the Premier League in growing the brand and growing Premier League on that sort of Saturday morning, which has become almost like a new TV slot.
I think it was something that was a chance to come over here and to see those fans that have got their Premier
League teams that they watch on a Saturday morning and actually see them in person. So, I mean, it’s an exciting one where you’ve got Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford, (Fulham) and then Chelsea, obviously ourselves, as well.
It’s going to be a good, good, good series. From my perspective, I was really pleased when we were able to secure Atlanta as one of the venues. We’re going to have Newcastle here, and we’re actually going to stay here for the duration and then fly up for the games. Atlanta will be our base camp.
Q: Did they, the promoters, pick your brain because you’ve seen all the stadiums in the U.S.?
A: There was obviously a little bit of help in the background on securing Mercedes-benz Stadium as one of the venues. I think that’s what we wanted to do. And it was brilliant that we’re able to work with AMBSE (Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment) and get it secured.
So I think it’s going to be an exciting doubleheader.
Such a great venue. I’m excited to show it to everyone else because it is different.
St. James’ Park is an amazing “Cathedral on the Hill” stadium that’s in the heart of the city (in Newcastle). But Mercedes-benz Stadium is just different, from the roof that opens and closes to the halo board, all those things. It’s just a different sort of type of special.
Q: What do you miss about Atlanta?
A: Just all the friends that were built here.
I think the weather is definitely a little bit warmer. Today, it feels like a Newcastle day with the rain.
We had 7½ years as a family and loved every minute of it. Certainly, as far as I’m concerned in America, where I’d call home and love the city, proud of what was achieved here. It’s just fun to be back and seeing some familiar faces.
Q: I’ve always wanted to ask you this, and I don’t know if you’ll answer: What is the one thing that a lot of us reported that was just absolutely wrong?
A: I think it’s like anything. When you’re in football, you’ll see stories, and they’re so crazy, some of the speculation. You get into that state where you can’t just say that’s wrong because then you get it on every rumor. Nowadays, in social media, as you know, the tendency is just to throw out 10 different things, and if you’re right 1 in 10, you use that to sort of show that you’re in the know.
I think it’s changed a lot, the media, in that respect. So there was loads of times when we were linked with players or players were linked otherwise, yeah.
Q: Are we going to see any MLS players on Newcastle’s roster going into next season?
A: I’m not sure. I couldn’t possibly ... (laughs)
Q: And how much do you miss American beer?
A: (Laughs again) Yeah, don’t miss that.