A glance down from the stands on Sunday offered no indication on what was to unfold next at St James' Park.

There stood sporting director Paul Mitchell just yards from the chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Eddie Howe. Former Monaco man Mitchell waved his fists in the air in delight after qualification was secured in the Champions League.

Don't forget the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years was being passed around too and that came on Mitchell's watch as Newcastle supremo in the boardroom. But Mitchell himself admitted that he had not had a full pre-season to do things his way when addressing fans at the STACK last year.

He also credited Howe and the backroom team for successfully navigating their way from a possible points deduction after the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. Without those sales Newcastle would have lost points - but that was nothing to do with Mitchell.

The only cash signing of any note on Mitchell's watch was William Osula who came in from Sheff United for £15m. Back in August though Howe said it had been a spot from his assistant and........

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