Ross Wilson Appointed Newcastle Sporting Director After Forest Success

Newcastle Appoint Ross Wilson as New Sporting Director

Newcastle United have named Ross Wilson as their new sporting director, following his impactful tenure at Nottingham Forest.

Wilson takes over from Paul Mitchell, who departed after less than a year in the role, and becomes the third permanent sporting director at St James’ Park in under 18 months. Wilson previously held similar roles at Rangers and Southampton.

“Newcastle is such a special club,” Wilson said. “The trust, cohesion and alignment I’m already building with Eddie Howe feels strong — being united will be key as we move forward.”

Why Wilson? Strategic Fit & Long-Term Vision

The Magpies deliberately took their time in filling the key executive role after Mitchell’s surprise exit during the summer. Wilson was handpicked after beating out contenders including former Arsenal deputy sporting director Jason Ayto, who later joined Brighton.

Newcastle believe Wilson’s strong rapport with manager Eddie Howe, combined with his experience in high-pressure roles at elite clubs, makes him the right figure to shape the club’s medium-to-long-term strategy.

Howe himself acknowledged the value of the sporting director role, saying that such a figure “protects the manager from a lot of things.”

Forest to Toon: Wilson’s Rising Stock

Wilson leaves Forest after a transformative spell. During just over two years at the City Ground, he played a pivotal role in:

• Overseeing club-record signings, including Omari Hutchinson for £37.5m.

• Smart recruitment, like signing Nikola Milenkovic for under £12m—who went on to be named Forest’s Player of the Season.

• Reinvesting wisely after selling Brennan Johnson to Spurs for £45m, replacing him with Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi for a combined £18m.

• Helping Forest to a seventh-place Premier League finish and a return to European football after 30 years.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had reportedly hoped to keep Wilson through the transfer window before allowing him to leave at the right moment.

Newcastle’s Long-Term Plans Take Shape

Wilson’s appointment is seen as a long-term strategic move by Newcastle’s Saudi owners PIF, who have tracked him since his time at Rangers. His four years in Glasgow, navigating the unique pressures of the Old Firm environment, are viewed as ideal preparation for the demands of St James’ Park.

After several changes in leadership behind the scenes, Newcastle are hoping Wilson will bring stability, helping the club compete domestically and in Europe over the coming years.