Newcastle wants ex-Arsenal Vinai Venkatesham for CEO position: Report
Today at 05:00 AM
The Magpies want a former Gunner on their board.
Newcastle United's pursuit of a new chief executive has led them to Vinai Venkatesham, a former Arsenal CEO, according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail.
Venkatesham, 43, worked closely with Newcastle's current chief commercial officer, Peter Silverstone, during their shared tenure at Arsenal. According to Hope, Venkatesham is a strong contender for the vacant position within the Magpies organization.
As Hope wrote, the pair played pivotal roles in Arsenal's commercial growth, including securing a £300 million, five-year kit deal with Adidas.
Venkatesham announced earlier this year his intention to step down from Arsenal, citing a desire for a new challenge. Silverstone, who left Arsenal in 2022 and joined Newcastle shortly after, praised his former colleague on LinkedIn, wishing his fella the best for the future.
"I was extremely fortunate to spend seven years working alongside you… I know you'll continue to work like a maniac for the next year but do take some time to reflect and enjoy the last lap," Silverstone wrote.
Newcastle's CEO search became necessary after Darren Eales announced his decision to step down due to a diagnosis of chronic blood cancer. Eales, who has been instrumental in the club's transformation under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) ownership, will remain in his role until a successor is found.
Sources indicated Hope that PIF is conducting a thorough recruitment process, utilizing external specialists, as it did with previous high-level appointments.
Venkatesham's expertise in commercial negotiations—boasting deals totaling £2 billion over his career—and his leadership in women's football have positioned him as a standout candidate, according to Hope's sources.
Additionally, his background as a qualified management accountant is also highly considered as Newcastle seems to always be navigating tough profitability and sustainability rules under the Premier League's PSR system.
While no appointment is imminent, according to Hope, Venkatesham's candidacy is sounding stronger by the day and an appointment could happen as soon as the end of this season.
