Newcastle’s search for a new sporting director has started and we can exclusively reveal the club have hired the internationally renowned Odgers Berndtson to lead the recruitment drive. 

It is a signal of the club’s intent to get the best in the business to replace Dan Ashworth, given the company are seen as one of the world’s leading executive search firms, with offices in 31 countries.

We have learned that Odgers Berndtson have already reached out to people in the game and, while there is no definitive timeframe on an appointment, it is thought those who would be the top candidates have already been identified.

It also remains the case that current head of recruitment Steve Nickson will be considered for a redrawn role if the club decide to tweak their model. Notebook reported last week how well thought of he is internally, and several would champion him taking on more responsibility.

Newcastle have begun to search for Dan Ashworth’s successor as the club’s sporting director

Paul Mitchell (left) and Tiago Pinto (right) are among potential candidates to take on the role

Odgers Berndtson partner Euan Frizzell is likely to be involved in the search, and they will produce a glossy ‘candidate brief’ for the position.

Newcastle remain in negotiations with Manchester United over the release of Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave. We understand a compensation fee in the region of £15million would see swift progress.

Meanwhile, Andy Howe, nephew of Eddie Howe, has seen his title changed from head of technical scouting to assistant head of first-team recruitment. Sources say it is not a promotion but recognition of the work he has done in identifying and recruiting senior players.

NETO SHOPPING TRIP EXPLORED

On the recruitment front, we reported last week how Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly was a target, and we understand those talks have continued. The defender, 25, is a free agent this summer.

But a new name that has come into us this week is that of Pedro Neto at Wolves. Club scouts have discussed the Portuguese winger and it is thought a fee of around £60m would be needed to do a deal this summer. Liverpool also hold an interest.

Neto will be one of several widemen Newcastle are exploring, with the expectation that a right-winger to upgrade on Miguel Almiron will be sought. He has the skill, pace and work ethic that Howe likes in a winger and, at 23, has plenty of improvement in him.

One area of concern would be that Neto has picked up injuries in both matches against Newcastle this season, most recently departing at half-time with a thigh concern during Wolves’ 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park last weekend. However, that problem is not thought to be serious and Newcastle will continue to monitor his performances.

The Magpies have taken an interest in Wolves winger Pedro Neto – who’s valued at £60million

STAFF HAD NEVER SEEN BARNES INJURY BEFORE

Sticking with wingers, Harvey Barnes is still feeling his way back to full fitness after four months out with a foot injury. But so unusual was his problem, Newcastle’s medical team had to look at other sports to determine the best treatment and likely prognosis.

Barnes tore ligaments underneath his toe, an injury no-one had come across in football. He feared his season could be over at one point, given the mystery surrounding the problem.

A month into his comeback and the 26-year-old has felt no ill-effects, which is a relief for all given they were entering the unknown to a degree when he did return.

ANTHONY GORDON EXCLUSIVE!

I spent some time with Anthony Gordon at the club’s training ground this week, for his first exclusive newspaper interview since joining the club. You can read that at Mail+ on Friday afternoon and in Saturday’s Daily Mail.

And I have to say, what an impression he made. Rarely does a 23-year-old speak with such intelligence and openness. He did not shy away from any subject.

There is a wider perception that exists of Gordon, but he challenged that here in an articulate and calm manner.

He also revealed his love of notebooks (not this column, but notebooks in general) and says he scribbles his thoughts, feelings and ambitions all the time. He picked up and admired my own Real Madrid branded notebook that I bought at the Bernabeu recently. They’re available online for around £12, I told him.

‘No, it’s better when you buy them on your travels, that way there’s a memory attached to them,’ he said, and his reasoning was sound.

You know what to do then, Anthony, get Newcastle back into Europe and you can do exactly that!

Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon poses for Mail Sport at the club’s training ground 

LIONESSES SET TO ROAR AT ST JAMES’

St James’ Park is set to host a feast of international football this summer, with England playing Bosnia in a pre-Euros friendly and the new Over-35s World Cup almost certain to be hosted here.

And we can reveal that England’s Lionesses are also set to play France in a Euro 2025 qualifier at St James’ on Friday, May 31. The fixture is still to be confirmed, but we understand the Lionesses will be heading to Tyneside.

LEWIS GOING HALL THE WAY WITH TOON

Lewis Hall will be a Newcastle player next season. The Chelsea loanee has barely featured this term – 11 appearances, only four of them starts – leading to questions among supporters.

But we understand the criteria triggering his £28m permanent move is not entirely dependent on Hall’s own performance. If Newcastle achieve a certain league position (and this is thought to be relatively low) then they are obliged to sign the 19-year-old.

TRIPPIER WINS OUR TOP AWARD

It was our North-East Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year Dinner at Ramside Hall last weekend.

Kieran Trippier was the winner and, while that was for his performances on the pitch, it is also worth recording how he handles himself with the media.

He always fronts up, regardless of the result, and speaks his mind on every occasion. He is not wary of the press and embraces the opportunity to speak to the public via the media.

Even on Sunday night he did not disappear as soon as the awards were done. Instead, he happily chatted with reporters and punters alike, all the while dwarfed by the trophy that was almost as big as him!

Kieran Trippier won the North-East Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award

TOON TEASER!

It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s question was this: Name the four goalkeepers who have won penalty shootouts with Newcastle. The answers were: Steve Harper, Mark Gillespie, Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka.

As for this week’s puzzler – and again, this was put to us reporters by a member of club staff before Howe’s press conference (it has become a tradition now) – here it is: Name the four players who have appeared for Newcastle in the Premier League with a surname beginning with the letter ’N’.

The answer will be revealed at 8pm on Friday evening on our new NUFC-dedicated WhatsApp channel.

It’s free and is available HERE.