Bunk Moreland

Great to be making progress in this area. For anyone else who was unsure, I'm assuming this description of the role I found on Google is accurate: "The performance director is the person inside a club or a federation in charge of overseeing the different performance departments of the club such as sports science, medical, nutrition, S&C or analytics, in order to ensure the players' optimal fitness and performance on the game day" Sounds like exactly what we need. Assume he'll be spending time shoring up these functions within the club.

I meant Mandy and Mehrdad were responsible for the day-to-day aspects of running the club up to and including negotiating transfers, hiring key personnel and managing our PSR obligations - whereas the PIF involvement was more around setting budgets, providing corporate oversight etc. I get the impression Saudi might want to be more involved in those aspects of running the club now, or at least have their own people (like Mitchell) doing so.

It was reported that Saudi got directly involved in the hiring of Mitchell, wasn't it? Brings up interesting questions around the timing of Staveley going because presumably he will assume some of the responsibilities she and Mehrdad had.

I suppose if it happens we might have had some kind of indication from Bowen's camp that he's open to it. Even if he wants to leave though West Ham have zero incentive to reduce their demands. Even if they might have PSR worries they would probably rather sell literally every other player before him. Either way we wont be hearing more about it until after the Euros I imagine.

They're selling off Cobham graduates so they can afford to hoard kids from other clubs' academies

That's his primary position apparently, although seems he can play LW and AM too which I didn't know: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/amario-cozier-duberry/profil/spieler/878150

I wonder if this means we're anticipating the route to RW being blocked because we're getting a premium RW + a younger versatile forward who can also play RW.

From the Ronny Gill: "The future of Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron is set to come under the microscope over the next fortnight amid transfer interest in the Paraguay international. Chronicle Live understands the 30-year-old is in discussions with his agent Daniel Campos over his next steps, amid reported talks with an unnamed Saudi club." https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/key-fortnight-could-hand-newcastle-29488373

If memory serves he also broke the Lewis Hall story last summer. What on earth is going on with goalkeepers this window

Fofana would be great. Seem to remember him being linked to us last summer and we definitely like a contract situation we can take advantage of.

To make these stats even more impressive he was playing out of position for most of the season

Chiesa prioritising move abroad this summer according to Italian press.

Tidy sum that. Especially when the replacement is free

We manifested this I know NUFCBlog sometimes gets good info on youth players - reckon they're reliable on this?

Seems the Cobham builders aren't leaving Chelsea amicably. Imagine Mitchell is well aware of these lads.

I was saying how good it would be to get Rangnick yesterday. Turns out Rangnick was the man who hired him at RB and also was the one trying to bring him to Manure initially. Quite an endorsement to have.

Also quite promising is that he left Monaco of his own accord rather than being sacked. "Mitchell cited the feeling that he had fulfilled his mission at Monaco and the time spent away from his family as reasons for leaving the club." https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4337105/2023/03/22/paul-mitchell-leaves-monaco/

Presumably got him for free inarl since he hasn't been at Monaco since October last year

Exactly, it's different kinds of sporting director for different points in our development - exactly how we should be approaching things.

His very impressive work history: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paul-mitchell/profil/trainer/21212

Great appointment. The man who brought Son to Spurs and lobbied everyone to stick with him after a tough first season where many were calling him a flop.

Left of field choice but could be very exciting if it happens. Looks like he's had an expanded role at Chelsea lately beyond the academy.