NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Ex-Arsenal chief being thought-about for brand new CEO, Emil Krafth’s prolonged lay-off revealed and the academy recruitment drive to beat PSR kicks up a gear
- The 43-year-old has worked with chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone
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Newcastle’s search for a new chief executive continues, and Confidential understands one man in the frame is Vinai Venkatesham.
The 43-year-old worked with current chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone at Arsenal for seven years and they formed a close relationship.
The Gunners signed a £300million, five-year deal with kit supplier adidas during their time in north London, before Silverstone left in 2022, and Venkatesham stood down earlier this year, citing his desire to pursue a new challenge.
When Venkatesham first announced he would be leaving, Silverstone posted a message on his LinkedIn page that read: ‘Congratulations on an incredible career at Arsenal. Obviously I was extremely fortunate to spend seven years working alongside you and am extremely grateful for the opportunity you gave me, the incredible work we did together and areas where you helped me develop.
‘Some great (and amusing) memories too. I know you’ll continue to work like a maniac for the next year but I do hope you take some time to reflect and enjoy the last lap. See you soon.’
It was confirmed in September that Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales would be standing down from his position after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer. He will continue to work until a successor is appointed.
Ex-Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham is being considered by Newcastle for a potential move
Venkatesham, who left the Gunners earlier this year could be the new chief executive
Darren Eales will be standing down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer
Sources say a thorough recruitment process using external specialists – as was the case with previous executive appointments – is taking place, and that PIF will make the eventual appointment.
Venkatesham’s potential candidacy would be strengthened by his work in women’s football and his commercial background. He claims to have signed deals totalling £2bn in his career. He is also a qualified management accountant, which is useful in a world of profit and sustainability rules.
Sour blow for Swede
Defender Emil Krafth is facing up to EIGHT weeks on the sidelines, Confidential can reveal.
The Swede suffered a broken collarbone in training last week and, while there is hope he could be back around Christmas, the player has been told it could be the new year before he returns. We understand the initial prognosis is six to eight weeks out.
Krafth will be back running in three to four weeks, but he is certain to miss the next six fixtures at least. His loss for the first game back after the international break is a particular blow, given fellow defender Dan Burn is suspended for the visit of West Ham.
The 30-year-old is hugely popular with team-mates and staff – he is nicknamed ‘Krafu’ – and we reported last week that the club are keen to extend his contract, which expires at the end of this season. He has always been a reliable performer and is seen as a key squad member, on and off the field.
Defender Emil Krafth is facing up to EIGHT weeks on the sidelines, Confidential can reveal.
The Swede suffered a broken collarbone in training last week and could be out until new year
Everything’s Fab
Fabian Schar has confirmed his desire to sign a new contract, after Confidential revealed last week that early discussions had begun.
Newcastle invoked an option to extend his deal by 12 months last year, meaning fresh negotiations are now needed.
That is not expected to be an issue, and Schar told blue Sport in his native Switzerland this week: ‘I feel super comfortable at Newcastle. I have been playing for years and I have a coach who backs me. Everything is right for me. I would love to stay.
‘The club and coach know what they have in me. Basically, it (a contract extension) has always happened relatively quickly in recent years. The club wanted to keep me, I wanted to stay.
‘That’s why it has never been a big deal. There are more complicated cases than mine.’
Luke who’s here…
Confidential reported last month that Newcastle were set to appoint a new senior analyst from Manchester United – and he duly appeared on the team’s victorious dressing-room picture at Nottingham Forest last Sunday.
Luke Dickson, a boyhood Newcastle fan, was made to wait by Manchester United before taking up his role as part of Eddie Howe’s first-team set-up.
And the 28-year-old, having completed his period of gardening leave, has enjoyed a fine start to life on Tyneside, with back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Forest since his November start date.
Fabian Schar has confirmed he desire to sign a new contract after discussions began
Paul Mitchell, meanwhile, is leading the hunt for scouts to work in Anglia and Scotland
Scouting for scouts
Newcastle’s off-field recruitment drive, led by sporting director Paul Mitchell, continues to gather pace.
The club are looking for a new Under 21 assistant boss to work alongside Diarmuid O’Carroll, who arrived as lead coach in September.
However, more interestingly, regional scouts to work in Anglia and Scotland are also being sought. We reported last month how the club were redoubling their efforts to identify teenagers who could be signed with a view to develop and sell, or break into the first team.
In a PSR world, there is an acceptance that using the academy as a production line for saleable assets is a necessity. The new appointments will have a remit to identify talent between the ages of 12 and 18.
Where there’s a Wil…
It was interesting to see Callum Wilson building his fitness in Qatar alongside Roony Bardghji, the FC Copenhagen wonderkid once linked with Newcastle.
The 18-year-old posted a video of the pair playing head tennis during a workout at the Aspire Academy in Doha.
Wilson is set to return for the visit of West Ham a week on Monday after overcoming back and hamstring issues, while Bardghji suffered a serious knee injury in May.
Newcastle have watched the young Swede in recent years but so have every other top club in Europe.
Maybe Agent Wilson was dispatched with more than a simple remit to get fit… his fellow forward certainly seemed to be enjoying his company. A succession plan, perhaps?
Callum Wilson has been building up his fitness in Qatar ahead of a potential return to playing
Wilson is set to return for the visit of West Ham a week on Monday having overcome his issues
Pillow talk
There was a late night for Anthony Gordon here in Athens on Wednesday.
I was among the England press pack who waited until 10.15pm to speak to the Newcastle winger ahead of the game against Greece.
England’s arrival in the capital was delayed and Gordon was still completing his media duties close to 11pm.
He always speaks incredibly well, though. And when asked in the club-versus-country debate as to which he saw as the priority, Gordon skilfully said the priority was always whichever he was representing next.
Anthony Gordon was still completing his England media duties until 11pm on Wednesday
Toon teaser
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… can you name the NINETEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Nottingham Forest since 1992? The answers were; Sammy Amoebi, Elliot Anderson, Michael Chopra, Jack Colback, Andy Cole, James Coppinger, Karl Darlow, Marlon Harewood, Darren Huckerby, Jermaine Jenas, Jamaal Lascelles, Daryl Murphy, James Perch, Stuart Pearce, Matz Sels, Jonjo Shelvey, Chris Wood, Tommy Wright and Odisseas Vlachodimos.
Sticking with Nottingham, this week’s international break question is… can you name the EIGHT players to have played for Newcastle and Notts County since 1992?
