David Hopkinson set to be announced as new Newcastle United CEO – The Times

Newcastle United are close to announcing the appointment of David Hopkinson as the club’s new CEO.

That is according to The Times, who report that the 54 year old Canadian will shortly take over from Darren Eales.

It was previously reported that David Hopkinson had been interviewed by the Newcastle United owners last month (June 2025).

David Hopkinson was most recently the president and chief operating officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation, which saw him guiding the strategic vision and operations of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

In the past, Hopkinson has also worked as Real Madrid’s global head of partnerships.

Whilst for 23 years, he was chief commercial officer for the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Partnership, which  included MLS franchise Toronto FC.

The Times add that this is set to be one of two major appointments, with Ross Wilson also set to arrive, to become the new Newcastle United Sporting Director. We reported (see below) earlier this week that The Athletic had revealed Wilson expected to be announced in the near future.

The Mag report – 23 July 2025:

Ross Wilson looks set to come to St James’ Park.

The Athletic say that their understanding is that he is now the first choice of NUFC to become the new Newcastle United Sporting Director.

That vacancy has opened up after Paul Mitchell lasted less than a year in the job.

Ross Wilson has been previously widely reported as having been one of those who has applied for the Newcastle United Sporting Director role, when United invited interest candidates to apply.

Having already signed Anthony Elanga from the City Ground, the Nottingham Forest chief football officer Ross Wilson seemingly set to follow.

Interviews have taken place and The Athletic say that the fact Eddie Howe knows Ross Wilson and has a good relationship with him, could be a key factor – 23 July 2025:

‘The 41-year-old has a good relationship with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who is involved in the process along with majority shareholders, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and co-owner James Reuben, which is thought to count in his favour.

PIF have also been aware of Wilson for several years, including interest when he was sporting director at Rangers between 2019 and 2023, in which time the club won their first league title for a decade and reached the Europa League final.

Wilson helped take Forest back into European football for the first time in 30 years last season but the Newcastle job would be another step up in a career that started off at Falkirk before spells with Watford, Huddersfield Town, Southampton and Rangers.

His profile as a sporting director who creates a strong club culture and builds the infrastructure needed to support a manager is also seen as being a good fit for Howe who is hands-on with recruitment and football matters.’

Meanwhile, the Newcastle United Head of recruitment Steve Nickson and assistant head of recruitment Andy Howe (Eddie Howe’s nephew and they previously worked together at Bournemouth) are currently in interim charge of overseeing transfer deals after Mitchell’s exit.

Hopefully, if indeed Ross Wilson is offered the job and accepts, we see no lengthy gardening leave insisted on by Nottingham Forest before he can start work at Newcastle United.’