NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Toon eye ‘the new Viktor Gyokeres’ as ex-Sunderland boss given key role in young stars’ development

Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross has been promoted to a key strategic role working closely with sporting director Paul Mitchell, Confidential can reveal.

The Scot will now be responsible for expanding Newcastle’s network of partner clubs. This does not yet mean a multi-club model involving total or partial ownership – like Manchester City‘s City Football Group – but it is the next step to increasing’s the club’s global reach.

Ross’ elevation – he was head of coach development – is reflective of how highly he is regarded within St James’ Park. Sources say his knowledge and personality is perfect for overseeing the expansion of affiliate clubs, similar to the job Brian Marwood has done at City.

The long-term idea is to forge longstanding relationships that involve the sharing of resource and ideas and gives Newcastle trusted homes for their players to progress.

Ross, 48, is seen by some as a future sporting director and he recently completed a master’s degree in sports directorship. Indeed, he passed with distinction from the University of East London.

Part of his immediate remit is to identify a loan club for incoming Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia. He will join Newcastle from Dinamo Tbilisi on his 18th birthday in August and the expectation is that a partner will already have been identified for him to develop at next season.

The Scottish ex-player will now be responsible for expanding Newcastle’s network of partner clubs

Eddie Howe’s side are building up to the weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace after defeat by West Ham on Monday

With Salia – and 19-year-old Serbian defender Miodrag Pivas – the primary hope is that they will one day return from loan spells and be ready to join the first-team squad at Newcastle. Failing that, they would be sold for a profit.

But sources say it is wrong to assume all such acquisitions will follow the Yankuba Minteh route. The winger spent one season on loan at Feyenoord before being sold to Brighton in the summer for £33million, a profit of £27m within just 12 months. That, however, was a necessity born out PSR requirements.

In an ideal world, players like Minteh, Salia and Pivas would play for the club and save millions in transfer fees, and this is the market which Newcastle, led by Mitchell, are increasingly looking to target.

And that will be the pathway – Mitchell and the recruitment team the identifier and pursuer of talent, Ross and others then helping with their development.

It should be noted that Newcastle currently have a strategic relationship with Larne FC in Northern Ireland, and the clubs are collaborating across youth development.

TOON EYE NEXT GYOKERES

Newcastle are watching the Coventry City player already dubbed the next Viktor Gyokeres.

Norman Bassette, who turned 20 earlier this month, joined the Sky Blues in August for a fee of around £2.5million from French club Caen, for whom he made his debut aged 16.

Coventry City and Belgium star Norman Bassette has been dubbed the next Viktor Gyokeres 

Gyokeres has become one of the most sought-after No 9s in Europe after coming through at Coventry 

The forward won his first senior cap for Belgium in the most recent international window and, on the back of just eight appearances for Coventry prior to the November break, it shows the regard in which he is held by some in his home country.

Bassette scored his first goal for the Championship club during a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United at the weekend. Before that, he came off the bench at both Middlesbrough and Sunderland and Newcastle were in attendance. Sources say they are keeping close tabs on his development.

Comparisons have been drawn with Gyokeres, who spent two full seasons at Coventry before joining Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2023. The Swede has since scored 67 goals in 70 games in Portugal and is being linked with a transfer to the Premier League. Indeed, Newcastle watched Gyokeres for several months before his move to Sporting.

Bassette, at 6ft 1in, is a similar size to Gyokeres and my spies tell me there is a closeness in terms of their skillset. The pair even look alike.

He will now come under the management of Frank Lampard, who was appointed Coventry boss on Thursday, and Newcastle will not be the only club watching him this season.

HEADHUNTERS HUNTED

Newcastle’s next chief executive looks increasingly likely to inherit the club’s plans for a new stadium or St James’ Park redevelopment, rather than be part of the decision-making process.

Sources have told Confidential that the recruitment drive did not begin immediately after the September announcement that Darren Eales would be standing down on health grounds.

Darren Eales (right) will be standing down as Newcastle United’s CEO for health reasons

Rather, the club put out to tender for headhunters to lead their search. In the meantime, Eales continues to operate in the role and is expected to remain well into next year.

Saudi owners PIF will have the ultimate say on who replaces Eales.

NO INJURY FOR MILEY

Lewis Miley was fit to feature during Monday’s 2-0 defeat by West Ham – and had not picked up an injury as some fans feared.

The 18-year-old was not included in the matchday squad, leading some supporters to wonder if he had picked up a fresh injury. However, that was not so, and Miley is in contention to return at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Eddie Howe made the call to pick an extra forward ahead of the midfielder against the Hammers, with Callum Wilson back on the bench after injury.

But with Bruno Guimaraes a doubt for the trip to Palace with a glute complaint, Miley is likely to be part of the squad, especially as Newcastle could have done with his composure in midfield as they struggled to regain control in the second half.

The England Under 21 star returned last month after seven months out with a combination of back and foot injuries.

Lewis Miley was not injured for Newcastle’s clash with West Ham as many had feared

The England Under 21 star returned last month after seven months out with a combination of injuries

AND NO INJURY FOR JOE!

Confidential is happy to report that Joe Willock is also fit ahead of Crystal Palace and avoided injury during the defeat by West Ham.

Eddie Howe said on Monday night that the midfielder had been forced off at half-time with a knock to his leg and more news was awaited.

However, Willock has trained this week and will be part of the squad for the trip to South London.

WHERE’S MIGGY’S SMILE?

Miguel Almiron did not look particular happy as he left the pitch on Monday and was being consoled by Martin Dubravka.

The Paraguayan was set to come on late in the game before an injury to Bruno Guimaraes changed Eddie Howe’s plans.

Almiron was part of the post-match lap of appreciation but appeared frustrated as he talked to substitute keeper Dubravka, who placed his arm around his team-mate.

Joe Willock avoided injury in the defeat by West Ham and is set to be available for the clash with Crystal Palace

Miguel Almiron looked frustrated as he left the field on Monday and could leave in January

If Newcastle can find a buyer in January then it is likely Almiron will leave, but as the club have found in recent windows, that has not been easy given the player’s wages and their own expectation regarding a transfer fee.

DAWSON IN THE HOTSEAT

Former Newcastle coach Ben Dawson looks set to take charge of his first Premier League game this weekend.

The 43-year-old has been handed the caretaker reins at Leicester and, while Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to be confirmed as their new manager, it is unlikely he will be in the dugout for the trip to Brentford on Saturday.

That will leave Dawson at the helm for his first competitive fixture as a senior boss. He had previously looked after Newcastle’s first team before Steve Bruce’s appointment in the summer of 2019.

His future beyond this weekend is uncertain but his reputation in coaching circles should not see him short of offers if he were to leave Leicester.

Dawson studied at Pennsylvania State University and there has been interest from MLS at various points in recent years.

The Geordie is said to have ambitions to work abroad and sources have even indicated future involvement back with Newcastle, should they want their own men installed at partner clubs down the line. Dawson worked closely with Jack Ross during their time together on Tyneside.

Former Newcastle coach Ben Dawson has been handed the caretaker reins at Leicester

Man United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to be confirmed as Leicester’s new manager

KEY COACH SOUGHT

Newcastle are looking to make a key appointment in the academy with a new Under 14s coach.

The age group has grown in importance in recent years with decisions often made early on whether to offer players academy scholarships. Contracts can be offered in the calendar year a player turns 14.

Confidential reported earlier this year how Ashington boss Ian Skinner was leaving his role to take on the Under 14s job. However, he quit to become first-team coach at Gateshead this month.

The new appointment will work full-time within the academy.

TOON TEASER…

It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… Can you name the EIGHTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and West Ham since 1992 (must have made senior appearance). The answers were; Demba Ba, Lee Bowyer, Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll, Mo Diame, Kieron Dyer, Abdoulaye Faye, Les Ferdinand, Marlon Harewood, Shaka Hislop, Paul Kitson, Rob Lee, Kevin Nolan, Scott Park, Stuart Pearce, Wayne Quinn, Nobby Solano and Stuart Pearce.

This week’s question is – can you name the FOURTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Crystal Palace since 1992… One of them is widely considered one of Newcastle’s worst players of the Premier League era…