Friday, July 15, 2022

RETURN FROM EXILE
MLS Atlanta president Eales to become Newcastle United CEO

Darren Eales, president of MLS side Atlanta United, has been hired 
as the new chief executive officer of Newcastle United
 (Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File/Paras Griffin)

16 Jul 2022 

NEW YORK: Darren Eales, president of Major League Soccer's Atlanta United and a former executive director at Tottenham Hotspur, will become the new chief executive officer at Newcastle United, clubs announced Friday.

Eales, a 49-year-old Englishman, was hired by the US side in 2014. He will remain with Atlanta through August 8 and return to the English Premier League on August 22.

Newcastle went 13-15 with 10 drawn last season to finish 11th in the Premier League.

"Newcastle United is both a giant of a club, and the heartbeat of its community," Eales said in a statement. "Every time I have visited St. James' Park, I've been overwhelmed by the passion of the fans.

"This is a club with an amazingly rich heritage, and I am delighted to be joining for this new chapter in its long history.

"I am grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to working with the rest of the team to help this storied club fulfil its potential."

Eales, who also worked in the front office for West Bromwich Albion alongside Magpies' sporting director Dan Ashworth from 2006-2010, oversaw formation of Atlanta since its 2017 debut as an MLS expansion side.

"It has been the adventure and honor of a lifetime to help build Atlanta United," Eales said in a statement.

"I've been privileged to work with an amazing team of people who rolled up their sleeves and made a vision into reality."

Eales, who also worked in the front office for West Bromwich Albion alongside Magpies' sporting director Dan Ashworth from 2006-2010, oversaw formation of Atlanta since its 2017 debut as an MLS expansion side.

The club won the 2018 MLS Cup and the 2019 US Open Cup and ranks among the attendance leaders in the North American league.

"Darren Eales is one of the best hires I've made in my career and the strength and success of Atlanta United to date is a credit to him not only as a leader, but as a passionate footballer," Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.

"I'm thrilled for Darren to have this new opportunity to lead Newcastle and I see it as a very positive reflection of Atlanta United and what our club has achieved in such a short time.

"Darren is more than ready to lead Newcastle and I know he'll be an outstanding leader of that club."

Atlanta signed MLS's three most expensive incoming players in Argentine midfielders Thiago Almada, Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez, whose transfer fees reportedly were a combined $46.5 million.

A statement from the club's investment group -- PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media -- praised Eales, calling him an exceptional leader in a statement.

"He has a deep understanding of the football industry and what it takes to achieve growth and success," the statement said. "And he will be a key member of the club's leadership team as we look to deliver on the club's potential on and off the pitch."

Newcastle confirm Eales as chief executive officer after agreeing Atlanta deal

Fri, 15 July 2022 


Darren Eales has switched Atlanta United for Newcastle United to join as chief executive officer as the Magpies continue to assemble their boardroom staff.

Newcastle managed to convince Dan Ashworth to leave Brighton and Hove Albion to become their sporting director in May, seven months after their controversial Saudi-backed takeover.

Ashworth will now be joined by Eales, who he worked alongside at West Brom between 2006 and 2010, with the 49-year-old leaving MLS side Atlanta, where he was president and chief executive officer (CEO).

Eales heads to Tyneside with sizeable boardroom experience, having been named the MLS Executive of the Year on two occasions and the World Football Summit Executive of the Year in 2019.

"Newcastle United is both a giant of a club, and the heartbeat of its community," said Eales, who also has administrative experience with Tottenham.

"Every time I have visited St. James' Park, I've been overwhelmed by the passion of the fans.

"This is a club with an amazingly rich heritage, and I am delighted to be joining for this new chapter in its long history.

"I am grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to working with the rest of the team to help this storied club fulfil its potential."

Eales also has previous history with Newcastle, having sold Miguel Almiron to the Premier League side after the forward helped Atlanta become MLS Cup winners in 2018.

"We are delighted to announce Darren Eales as the club's new CEO," Newcastle's investment group added. "He is an exceptional leader and is a great fit for Newcastle United.

"We have conducted an exhaustive recruitment process to ensure we identified and secured the right individual for the CEO position, and we are confident we have found that person in Darren.

"He has a deep understanding of the football industry and what it takes to achieve growth and success, and he will be a key member of the club's leadership team as we look to deliver on the club's potential on and off the pitch."

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