EXCLUSIVEDougie Freedman is on Newcastle's shortlist to replace Dan Ashworth as sporting director... but the Magpies could face competition from Man United

• e-mail

Dougie Freedman is a contender for the Newcastle sporting director role, Mail Sport can reveal.

We understand the Crystal Palace chief is on the club’s shortlist as the process enters its final stages.

Freedman has occupied the same position at Selhurst Park since 2017 and is held in extremely high regard in Premier League circles. His domestic experience is seen as key by those leading Newcastle’s search.

We reported last month that recruitment experts Odgers Berndtson had been tasked with sourcing candidates, and representatives from the club’s ownership group and executive team have since met with some of the contenders. Freedman, 49, is among the final list of names.

The former Palace striker was sat behind owner Steve Parish at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night, as their team beat Newcastle 2-0. Members of the Magpies hierarchy, including co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi and chief executive Darren Eales, were also in the directors’ box.

Dougie Freedman has emerged as a contender to become Newcastle's sporting director

Freedman remains a target of Manchester United, who are in negotiations with Newcastle over the release of sporting director Dan Ashworth. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group are thought to want Freedman as their head of recruitment. 

United are long-time admirers of the Scot, and the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director and Ashworth’s expected arrival has not deterred them from adding to the senior group.

Freedman has been key in identifying and signing the likes of Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise for Palace, and they are a trio now courted by several of the Premier League’s leading clubs.