Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales to step down after cancer diagnosis

Newcastle United have today issued a statement saying that CEO Darren Eales is set to step down from his role at the club.

Darren Eales has been diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer and will step aside from his role at the club's Chief Executive Officer. He will continue to lead the executive team until the club can find a replacement.

Eales joined Newcastle United as CEO in August 2022 and worked alongside Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi until their departure from the club earlier this year.

He was seen as the right man to lead the PIF's project at Newcastle after founding Atlanta United in the MLS and creating a successful club with excellent links to the fanbase. It was hoped that he could replicate that with Newcastle United.

Darren Eales has had a bit of a bumpy ride at Newcastle

It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Darren Eales at Newcastle, however, as reports suggested that he was the man behind Staveley and Ghodoussi's sudden departure this summer, and shortly after that he was criticised for a cringe-worthy appearance at St James' Park STACK which saw him singing anti-Sunderland chants and dancing on stage.

However, it now looks like we'll never know just how things would have panned out in the long term under Eales after taking full control of the club since Staveley's departure.

The news has come out of the blue and has shocked the Newcastle fanbase.

Our thoughts are with Darren Eales and his family at this time

Darren Eales released a statement via the Newcastle United website explaining that he feels stepping down is the right move for him.

"Being CEO of Newcastle United is an extraordinary privilege and I am incredibly proud to be part of the club's exciting journey.

"However, it has become apparent to me that now is the right time to make this decision so that I can prioritise my health and my family.

"In the short term, it will be business as usual in terms of running the club's day-to-day operations, and I will give my full support to a transitionary period that will enable the board to carefully assess and appoint my successor.

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to the club's supporters, ownership, players and staff. I'm proud of what we have collectively achieved and I'm excited to see what's ahead for everyone as the club builds towards a future of sustained success."

We wish Darren and his family all the best and we hope that he is able to beat this awful disease. We're all with you, Darren.