Newcastle's prospective Saudi owners to hire new technical director

Newcastle's prospective new Saudi owners will prioritise the appointment of a technical director as part of boardroom shake-up.

The takeover, led by Mohammed Bin Salman - the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and the drive to reshape the club’s hierarchical structure will place uncertainty over the future of current managing director Lee Charnley.

If the transaction to buy Newcastle is completed, the new owners are expected to launch a mega money transfer drive of Europe’s most high profile players.

But Sportsmail sources claim the Saudis, while there will be significant funds available, will take a more measured approach to their recruitment - and want a technical director with a reputation of working within a budget and framework, particularly as football comes to terms with the coronavirus financial crisis.

Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf’s current sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel is understood to be among the candidates under consideration for the position.

Former FC Porto and Paris Saint Germain supremo Antero Henrique has also been linked with the role.

Pfannenstiel, following promotion into the German top-flight, helped consolidate Fortuna’s position in the Bundesliga last season working to a minimal budget, relying largely on loans and free transfers.

Fortuna, where former Manchester City boss Use Rosler is manager, are currently outside the automatic relegation places having again spent very little.

The mooted £300million takeover remains in the balance as the Premier League investigate a myriad of issues linked to the Saudi buy-out.

Calls for the takeover to be blocked amid allegations of illegal piracy and copyright infringements - as well as human rights issues - are being taken seriously by the Premier League.

But there remains a confidence that a deal to take control of the club from Mike Ashley will be ratified once top-flight officials complete their investigations.