‘Staying with us’ - Major sporting director claims as Newcastle United’s No.1 target makes telling admission

Dougie Freedman has rejected Newcastle United and will stay at Crystal Palace, according to reports.

The Magpies have been chasing a new sporting director since February - when Dan Ashworth announced his desire to join Manchester United. Toon chiefs have carried out a series of interviews to appoint the 53-year-old’s replacement.

As it stands, Ashworth remains on gardening leave, with Newcastle maintaining their hardball stance over a compensation package. Eagles chief Freedman was understood to be Newcastle’s first-choice successor ahead of a final decision in the coming weeks.

However, the 49-year-old, who has played for, managed and been in the boardroom at Selhurst Park, could be about to stay put. A prominent Palace social media account shared a selfie with Freedman ahead of their emphatic 5-0 win over Aston Villa.

The caption read: “Just asked again, same answer NO, staying with us” - suggesting Freedman confirmed he is going nowhere. This cast doubt about Newcastle’s sporting director hunt as many sources considered the deal close to being agreed upon.

Toon fans were sceptical about the information considering Freedman had been interviewed for the St James’ Park role. One post read: “How strange if true? He's obviously had multiple interviews so what's the point if his heart was never set on it.”

Freedman is a highly-rated operator who was linked with Manchester United before their Ashworth pursuit. Since becoming sporting director in 2017, he has been responsible for Palace signing emerging stars like Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and reported Newcastle target Michael Olise.