When the news of the Red Bull takeover at Newcastle came out, there were many questions surrounding the immediate structure of the club. So far, the club has been re-branded as the new organisation looked to make some quick changes. One thing that was apparently going to remain the same was the role of director of rugby. Steve Diamond has guided the club well in a difficult situation and it looked like he was going to be given a season in charge to be evaluated by the new owners. He was a key part of their rapid squad rebuild in the late summer and was openly talking to the media about the club's future plans just a week ago. However, in the aftermath of the first game of the season, he was sacked. The timing of this was a huge surprise, but one must assume that Red Bull have a plan. So, what could it be?
To answer that question, we first have to look at what has already been announced. Soon after DIamond's departure was announced, Newcastle released the news that they are bringing in a new structure from November 1st. Neil McIlory will be responsible for all rugby management activities within the club and Alan DIckens will step up to be the team's head coach. Gregor Townsend, who has recently extended his stay as Scotland's head coach, will be acting as a consultant for Red Bull for 30 days per year. This could be a way of him moving slowly into a rugby version of the role that Jurgen Klopp currently holds as a sort of director of football for all of Red Bull's teams. This is because his contract with Scotland will be up after the next World Cup and there are plenty of rumours about Franco Smith being lined up as his replacement.
That's all fine, but what about next season? Well, Neil Fissler of rugbypass brought up Phil Dowson as a potential director of rugby for the northerners next season. He also pointed out that Dowson has a significant attachment to Newcastle having grown up a fan of the football team and having started his playing career with the Falcons. He is a young, exciting director of rugby who would be the perfect candidate to build Newcastle as a club. He also has a proven track record of developing young talent after his success with the likes of Fin Smith and Henry Pollock.
This move could also get Newcastle fans dreaming about potential signings of some of Northampton's out-of-contract stars. Fin Smith and George Furbank would have been targets but are reportedly close to signing big extensions with the Saints. Perhaps rumours of Dowson's departure could change things? We do know that Newcastle are targeting 13 out-of-contract England players with a particular focus on half backs, due to statements made by Steve Diamond when he was still in the job. Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles and Alex Mitchell are all still unsigned for next season, and Northampton aren't known as big spenders, so there is a chance that a couple of big offers could lure in a couple of big stars. Ultimately, it's all hypothetical and we'll have to wait and see what direction this new brand chooses for the future.
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