Newcastle United's chief executive, Darren Eales, has announced his intention to step down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer. The 52-year-old, who has held the position since August 2022, will continue in his role until a successor is found.
"Being CEO of Newcastle United is an extraordinary privilege and I am incredibly proud to be part of the club's exciting journey," Eales stated. "However, it has become clear to me that now is the right time to make this decision so that I can prioritize my health and my family."
As the first chief executive appointed following Newcastle's £300m takeover by majority Saudi Arabian owners, Eales has overseen significant achievements, including the team's fourth-place finish in the Premier League in 2022-23 and their appearance in the Carabao Cup final. More recently, he has been involved in key changes, such as the departures of minority co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and the recruitment of Paul Mitchell as sporting director.
Newcastle's chairman, Yasir al-Rumayyan, expressed gratitude for Eales' "significant contribution" and acknowledged the club's sadness over the news. Eales, a Cambridge law graduate with experience as Tottenham's director of football administration and CEO of Atlanta in Major League Soccer, is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. "In the short term, it will be business as usual in terms of running the club's day-to-day operations, and I will give my full support to a transitional period that will enable the board to carefully assess and appoint my successor," he said.
Meanwhile, manager Eddie Howe faces challenging decisions as he prepares for Manchester City's visit on Saturday. Several key players, including Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and Anthony Gordon, are out of form, making team selection difficult. Howe emphasized the need for the team to regain their intensity and for key players to return to their best form.
Howe also addressed the recent tensions with sporting director Paul Mitchell, stating that their relationship is now "all good" after positive discussions last week. The manager is expected to give midfielder Sandro Tonali his first start since a 10-month suspension for breaches of betting rules. Striker Alexander Isak, who has been underwhelming, may also feature despite playing with a broken toe.
