Newcastle land ex-Man Utd man after John Murtough ignored £82m Antony warning
Newcastle want to build the best scouting empire in world football and have tasked Manchester United's former head of global scouting Marcel Bout as the man to execute their ambitious vision.
Bout, 60, has now started his new role as chief global head of scouting but will based in native Amsterdam where he will oversee all scouting operations.
The logistics behind the surprise call are that Schiphol - Europe's best-connected airport which lays on flights to over 300 destinations across the globe - will be accessible from his doorstep.
The Dutchman's job is to identify the world's most exciting talents between the ages of 16 and 23 swiftly - ensuring the Magpies beat rivals to the punch - though Eddie Howe insists there will be no drastic changes to first-team recruitment.
"That [Bout's arrival] that I am something not directly involved in. That would be a club appointment made internally," he said on Friday. "I don't think it will necessarily impact first team recruitment, I think it is more on the younger side. It is certainly a welcome addition to the football club."
Manchester United confirmed the resignations of Bout and chief scout Jim Lawlor back in April 2022 as part of an unsuccessful structural overhaul. Bout initially joined the Red Devils as Louis van Gaal's assistant coach in 2014 before later moving upstairs in October 2016 following his compatriot's dismissal.
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Despite his best efforts collating data and reports on some of the game's hottest prospects, United's top decision-makers have frequently made a mess of transfer dealings. Erling Haaland and Joao Felix were two notable near misses after Bout spent time tracking both attackers during their respective breakthrough spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Benfica.
Real Madrid's energetic midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was also recommended to United's transfer committee during his time at Stade Rennes. Bout is also understood to have advised United against the £82million signing of winger Antony from Ajax - guidance that was stubbornly ignored.
Marcel Bout left Man United in 2022 after moving upstairs into a scouting role in 2016 (Corbis via Getty Images)It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows, however. Bout's judgement was heavily scrutinised at times throughout his Old Trafford tenure in light of the club's scattergun transfer policy that has often lacked clear direction. He was one of the key driving forces behind the £35m capture of Donny van de Beek in the summer of 2020 which is just one of several deals that has failed to pay dividends for United.
Yet despite their questionable track record in the market during his period of employment, Bout's expertise remains highly respected within his field not only in Europe but in niche markets such as Central and South America.
The former Bayern Munich and Holland analyst will now report into Newcastle's sporting director Dan Ashworth, who has built a reputation as one of the game's smartest operators in light of his remarkable work at Brighton. Unlike United, there is total trust and transparency amongst the club's hierarchy and a clear strategy in play as Newcastle bid to elevate their project to the next level.
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