Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson sent urgent Sandro Tonali message

Ross Wilson has a busy to-do list following his appointment as Newcastle United’s sporting director.

Newcastle had been operating without a sporting director for four months after Paul Mitchell departed in June, meaning it was up to Eddie Howe and recruitment duo Steve Nickson and Andy Howe to navigate the summer transfer window.

Wilson’s arrival from Premier League counterparts Nottingham Forest forms part of a new executive team after David Hopkinson succeeded Darren Eales as chief executive officer last month.

Ross Wilson reacts to joining Newcastle United

“I'm absolutely delighted to be here at Newcastle United,” said Wilson, who officially started his role on Saturday. “This is such a special club, and I fully understand the passion, ambition and expectations of our incredible supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our ownership to keep developing and building an even stronger Newcastle United.

"My conversations with ownership have been extremely positive, and I've also been in regular contact with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson. The trust, cohesion and alignment we're building already feels strong, and we believe that being united as a team will be so important as we continue to move the club forward together.

"I'm excited to work with everyone across the different areas within our football department. There's already excellent work being done here and, from the first team to the women's team and academy, my aim is to build on that, strengthen our structures over time, and work with our staff to create environments where players and staff can continue to thrive."

David Hopkinson ‘delighted’ with Ross Wilson appointment

Hopkinson added: "I am delighted to welcome Ross to Newcastle United. His experience and expertise immediately strengthen us, and his appointment is another important step forward in our journey.

"Ross has a track record of delivering strategic change. He has instilled processes and built relationships that have helped his clubs to win and grow, and he has demonstrated his ability to enhance talent pathways and integrate women's football into the same high-performing culture.

"We are looking forward to working with him as we build towards our ambitions for long-term sustainable success."

Newcastle United contracts on Ross Wilson’s to-do list

Wilson will undoubtedly have several matters on his to-do list, and one that is likely to take priority is players’ contracts.

Newcastle have eight senior players out of contract at the end of the campaign, including Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Fabian Schar, though this summer’s Alexander Isak saga is a warning that you can’t afford to only focus on the short-term.

United were prepared to offer Isak a new deal last year before Mitchell pulled the plug, citing that the player, at the time, had four years remaining on his current contract

The Swede’s deal didn’t expire until 2028 but didn’t stop him from successfully forcing a £130m British record move to Liverpool in the summer.

Ross Wilson sent Sandro Tonali message by our NewcastleWorld readers

Coincidentally, Sandro Tonali’s contract also expires in 2028. Perhaps scarred by the Isak events, it is the Italian who NewcastleWorld readers believe should be the first to get a new contract.

NewcastleWorld asked ‘who is the first NUFC player Ross Wilson should offer a new contract to?’ with Tonali the most popular comment, while there were mentions for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes (2028) and Sven Botman (2027).

Tonali was hit with a 10-month betting ban not long after joining Newcastle from AC Milan for £55million in 2023. But since returning to action in August last year, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, with his endurance and technical ability making him an integral part of Eddie Howe’s starting XI.

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