‘There were offers’ - Paul Mitchell makes Newcastle admission after Manchester United and Chelsea rumours

Paul Mitchell has revealed he snubbed offers elsewhere before joining Newcastle United as sporting director.

Toon chiefs announced the former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig and Monaco man as Dan Ashworth’s successor earlier this month. The Magpies finally agreed on a compensation package with Manchester United for the 53-year-old.

Ironically, reports linked Mitchell with the Old Trafford hot seat before the Red Devils moved for Ashworth. Chelsea were another club understood to be snooping around Mitchell once he stepped down from Monaco last October.

Newcastle ultimately staved off the competition to land their man before summer transfer plans ramped up. Speaking to the club’s media channel, Mitchell admitted he turned down several approaches before picking the Magpies.

“When I left Monaco, I finished my handover,” he said. “I was tasked there with finding my replacement to make sure I left the club in the best shape possible. 

“That’s always an objective of mine from when I arrive to make sure to leave it (the club) in a better place. There’s been offers, I don’t think that’s a secret. Some of them have been in the media; some true, some not true.

“This time I wanted to come back to the UK. I wanted to take my time and make sure the next step was the right one. It was a perfect fit. And having watched Newcastle grow exponentially over the past few years, the ambition, the city, the northern fan base, the energy of St James’ Park, the ownership, the head coach…

“When you align everything you’re looking for, I’m at my optimum, I wanted to put that into something I really believed in. Not just with my head, but also with my heart - and I think Newcastle is the perfect fit.”