Darren Eales has already got the inside track on life on Tyneside before he starts his new role as Newcastle United's CEO later this month. Eales recently embarked on an 'undercover' fact-finding mission, taking in the pre-season friendlies against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao at St James' Park, and the 51-year-old has reached out to those who know the club and area so well.
One such contact is Tony Annan, Atlanta United's former academy director, who just so happens to be a Geordie. Eales has already asked his one-time colleague 'where he should live' and it is certainly not the first time the pair have chatted about Newcastle over the years.
"We always spoke about how big the club was, the fan base, the city," Annan told ChronicleLive. "He genuinely loves the job he's going in to do and he will have a massive respect for the city and the club.
