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• Mitchell replaces Ashworth as Newcastle's sporting director

  Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Paul Mitchell as the club's new sporting director.

  Mitchell, who previously worked for Southampton and Tottenham, replaces Dan Ashworth who joined Manchester United earlier this week. 

  Ashworth's leave was due to run until mid-2025, but it emerged on Monday that the two clubs had agreed a compensation package to 

  The 42-year-old has been out of work since October 2023, having most recently been the sporting director at Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco. 

  Speaking on his arrival to St. James' Park, 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."

  Mitchell's time in the Premier League saw him start with Southampton, where he is credited for the signings of Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane, earned him a move to Tottenham.

  As head of recruitment with Spurs, he would help mastermind the signings of Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and Kieran Trippier before leaving for RB Leipzig in 2018. 

  Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales added: “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.”

• Ten Hag pens contract extension at Man Utd

  Manchester United have confirmed Erik ten Hag has signed a contract extension.

  The new terms take manager Ten Hag through to the end of the 2025-26 season.

  Ten Hag's job looked under threat after United finished eighth last term, their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League.

  Yet a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, combined with an apparent lack of top-class managerial options, meant United instead decided to stand by the Dutchman.

  "I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together," Ten Hag said in a statement on United's official website.

  "Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.

  "However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.

  "In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all strongly committed to making that journey together."

  United have won 54% of their top-flight games under Erik ten Hag (41/76), with only Alex Ferguson (65%) having a higher win percentage in charge of the Red Devils in the Premier League.

  Dan Ashworth, United's freshly appointed sporting director, said: "With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football.

  "While the club's review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it also reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner for us to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.

  "This group of players and staff have already shown they are capable of competing and winning at the top level; now we need to do it more consistently.

  "With our strengthened football leadership team now in place, we are looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Erik to achieve our shared ambitions for this football club."

• Ten Hag urged to build on Man Utd 'togetherness' by former Red Devil Brown

  Manchester United expressing their commitment to Erik ten Hag can only build togetherness, so says Wes Brown, who urged the Red Devils to improve next campaign.

  Ten Hag was reportedly nearing the exit door at Old Trafford after guiding United to eighth in the top flight last season, their lowest finish in the Premier League era.

  Yet the Dutchman saved his job with the FA Cup final victory over fierce rivals Manchester City, securing his second trophy in as many seasons and sneaking into the Europa League in the process.

  Former United defender Brown believes the club's backing of the manager can only improve the mood in the squad, who must perform better for Ten Hag when the 2024-25 campaign begins.

  "He's done well, we obviously won the cup last season against Man City," said Brown, speaking to Stats Perform at the Home of Adidas football in Berlin. 

  "I think expectations are always going to be high for any manager at Manchester United. But since we were let down a little bit in the league last year, we want to be in the Champions League, we want to finish as high as we can.

  "I think that is a priority. No one knows [the new] signings yet, that normally happens after a major tournament, so we're not sure what's going to happen there yet.

  "But I really like the manager and at times the players have let themselves down. But you can see there's a togetherness coming together and he just has to keep that going now.

  "He knows where he's going to be now for the next few years. With that all sorted out, he can now move on and do the job to the best of his ability."

  Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank were all linked to the United job as speculation loomed over Ten Hag's future.

  Brown, who played 232 times for United after coming through their academy, says ending those rumours should positively impact Ten Hag's players.

  Asked if uncertainty around Ten Hag's future would impact the squad, Brown responded: "I think it does. I've probably been in the same situation at other clubs.

  "It definitely helps going forward, if anything you don't think about it, it's all done now.

  "It definitely helps in the sense of coming together as a team and we're all in it together, and we can now move forward for the next few years and make the club better again."

  Ten Hag will be expecting additions to a squad that was ravaged by injury struggles last term, especially in defence.

  Raphael Varane has left the club, while Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire struggled with injuries last campaign.

  United are in the market for centre-back options, with Bayern Munich's Matthjis de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, of Everton, both linked as potential additions.

  Brown insists that position must be the priority for United in the transfer window.

  "Branthwaite had a good season," Brown added. "It's been difficult for Everton, but his personal performances have been very highly rated and De Ligt as we know is a great player.

  "Depending on what happens at Munich, you never know, but I think a priority is a defender coming in alongside Martinez and if we could get one of them, I'd be very happy as a fan."