A former player whose playing career ended in early retirement due to injury, Paul is a well-respected sporting executive with a track record of success.
His non-playing career started in scouting and recruitment, initially at MK Dons, before prominent roles at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Soccer International and AS Monaco.
His recruitment success as director of scouting and analysis at Southampton helped the club to secure promotion back to the Premier League and become regular competitors in the top half of the table. A unique and progressive recruitment strategy enabled the Saints to outperform many of its rivals despite having a lower budget, and he further cemented his reputation during a successful spell as head of recruitment at Tottenham Hotspur.
Paul joined RB Leipzig in 2018 as head of recruitment and club development, combining traditional scouting with data-driven analysis, before moving into a new role as technical director in Red Bull's global football division.
In 2020, he joined AS Monaco as the club's sporting director, devising and implementing a long-term development plan and transforming the club’s performance and profile, as well as implementing improvements at Belgian club Cercle Brugge, part of the ownership's portfolio.
Paul Mitchell said: "It's with immense pride that I accept the responsibility of being Newcastle United's new sporting director.
"I've seen the recent growth and ambition of the club. This, plus the amazing fan base, made the decision to join an easy one.
"I can't wait to get started and help continue the organisation's growth and long-term competitiveness in all areas of elite football performance."
Darren Eales, Newcastle United's CEO, said: "We are delighted to welcome Paul to Newcastle United. He brings a successful track record and wealth of experience to the club.
"His extensive and diverse experience in football leadership, cultural change and recruitment mean he is the ideal person to lead our sporting directorate.
"We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him in our pursuit of long-term, sustainable success."
