Newcastle United’s new sporting director Paul Mitchell spoke for the first time on Thursday, July 18, and revealed his five-year plan for the club after joining the Magpies from AS Monaco.

Speaking in an official club interview, Mitchell emphasized his commitment to building Newcastle into a top-tier European club after the Magpies tasted the Champions League waters a year ago but failed to clinch such a place last season.

“I’ve always been drawn to growth projects. It takes time, and in the next five years, we’re going to have to rely on a level of patience. I think in five years we can be really challenging for important things at an important level,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell will be tasked with managing the transfer businesses of the club more than anything else, which contrasts with Dan Ashworth’s work at NUFC before the appointment of the new sporting director.

Newcastle, for what’s worth, has already signed Lewis Hall (loan deal turned into full-time transfer), Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, and Lloyd Kelly. Whether or not Mitchell already factored into and recommended any of those signings is unknown.

Mitchell acknowledged the need for patience from fans as the club works towards its long-term goals after the quick success experienced by the club after the arrival of PIF in October 2021.

“(We aim to) not just get there (to European competitions) and partake once every five years, but get there and partake every year and put Newcastle United on the global map,” Mitchell said.