Paul Mitchell leaves Newcastle United two weeks earlier than planned according to report

Newcastle United recently announced that sporting director Paul Mitchell would leave the club at the end of June, less than a year after joining the club.

By all accounts, the fact that Mitchell was leaving didn't shock anybody, but the timing caught many people off guard.

Since the announcement, there have been reports that Paul Mitchell simply didn't fit in at the club, players and staff weren't a fan of his methods.

People found him 'brash' and difficult to work with, and with his one ally in Darren Eales stepping down as CEO soon, Mitchell clearly thought it was best to pull the ripcord.

Paul Mitchell has left Newcastle United already

The Daily Mail are now reporting that Paul Mitchell has left the club with immediate effect, meaning that he leaves without making a single first-team addition to the Newcastle squad.

We hammered Dan Ashworth for leaving a little legacy, but at least he did something. Paul Mitchell has been an absolute disaster and leaving the club now, the one time of the year he is genuinely useful, just shows the measure of the man in our eyes.

We're actually glad that he's gone before the end of June, as it was already awkward enough that he was leaving during a transfer window, but it didn't make sense to have him hanging around like a bad smell.

Andy Howe and Steve Nickson will step up their work in the transfer market

It's now expected that Andy Howe will step up his work alongside Steve Nickson as the Magpies seek to make a breakthrough in the transfer market.

Newcastle have already begun the recruitment process via Nolan Partners, with Ross Wilson and Jason Ayto early favourites to succeed Mitchell.

We really hope that if they once again decide to recruit a new sporting director in the middle of a transfer window that it doesn't affect the work that's already been done, or create such a massive distraction as Paul Mitchell's arrival did last year.

Normally, I'd wish a departing staff member good luck, but honestly, as someone who had Mitchell at the top of my list to replace Ashworth, I just don't have it in me. He has been an utter waste of time and money. See ya!