PIF line-up next major Newcastle United move as former Arsenal man 'under consideration'

It was announced in September that Eales would be stepping down from the position - two years after joining from MLS side Atlanta United - after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.

The 52-year-old will remain at St James’ Park until a successor is found. On Wednesday night, Eales was a guest at the ‘We are United’ fan event STACK, where he appeared on stage alongside sporting director Paul Mitchell, chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone, chief financial officer Simon Capper and chief operating officer Brad Miller.

Asked for an update on his health, Eales said: “I’m doing great, thanks. It’s incredible, the support I got from fans. I want to say thank you. I’m trying to take the positives.”

Last week, it was reported by Mail Sport that former Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is one of the candidates under consideration having previously worked with Silverstone at Arsenal for seven years.

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Silverstone and Venkatesham were behind one of Arsenal’s most biggest commercial deals having agreed a £300million partnership with Adidas in 2019. Within a year of arriving on Tyneside, Silverstone brought Adidas back.

The ownership group - the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and RB Sports & Media - are leading the recruitment process, according to Eales.

“I’ve got a notice period, so the intention is it’s ‘business as usual’,” Eales said on the search for his successor. “The idea was to give that notice so we can do a search and that’s going to be led by ownership.

“It’s to find the best person possible and to give them the best transition so that they can hit the ground running.”