Eales has clearer run at top spot
NEWCASTLE United CEO Darren Eales is effectively the main figurehead at St James’ Park after the departure of Amanda Staveley.
The former Atlanta United supremo is in charge of the day-to-day running for the football club which was first taken on by the Ripon financier and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi in 2021.
The pair left the club on Wednesday after being informed by Public Investment Fund of a reshuffle. It means their 6% stake in the club will be taken over by Saudi-based PIF.
Eales assumes the role of day-to-day “chairman” in many respects but The Chronicle understands that PIF do have an influence with a Uk-based contact in the building at St James’ Park.
Clearance from the very top in Riyadh is required for all major decisions.
But Eales will now be expected to dovetail with CCO Peter Silverstone, sporting director Paul Mitchell, CFO Simon Capper and COO Brad Miller. Eales has been the friendly face in boardrooms around the country on Premier League away days and has travelled with the team for promotional tours.
Now the 51-year-old will get a clearer run at the top spot of club supremo at St James’ Park.
The club’s main chairman Yasir Al-rumayyan said last year: “I think we should have an ambition and aspiration to be number one.”
After failing to qualify for the Champions League last season a shake-up of some sort was always expected. And a boardroom reshuffle plus the appointment of Mitchell appears to have been deemed as the answer after a dip from fourth to seventh in the 2023/24 campaign.