Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross has a new role at Newcastle United.

Ross, who managed the Black Cats from May 2018 until October 2019, has been promoted to Assistant Sporting Director at Newcastle United and the appointment comes after two key departures from the recruitment team this month.

Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson joined Championship side Wrexham as their sporting director, while senior football executive Andy Howe, nephew of former head coach Eddie Howe, left the club after the summer transfer window closed.

Ross previously reported into sporting director Ross Wilson in his most recent role as Head of Football Strategy, but has now stepped up to directly assist his fellow Scotsman, who also happens to hail from Falkirk.

Ross joined Sunderland after the club had suffered consecutive relegations to League One. The Scottish coach guided Sunderland to fifth in his first season, reaching the play-off final, where they lost 2-1 to Charlton Athletic. SAFC also lost the EFL Trophy final that season on penalties to Portsmouth, following a 2-2 draw at Wembley.

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The former Hartlepool United defender was sacked early into the 2019/20 campaign with Sunderland sitting sixth in League One, and they would eventually slump to eighth before finally earning promotion a year later.

Announcing his new position on LinkedIn, Ross said: “I am excited to share that I have moved to the position of Assistant Sporting Director at Newcastle United Football Club.”

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The 50-year-old initially joined Newcastle’s academy as Head of Coach Development in March 2023 before moving into the role of Head of Strategic Technical Football Partnerships. In July last year, Ross was appointed as Head of Football Strategy, a role described as “an important leadership role that will help to develop a consistent sporting philosophy” across the men’s, women’s and academy teams.

Ross has also been responsible for “building strategic relationships with other clubs, introducing new football development and talent pathway opportunities in the UK and overseas”, as well as overseeing the club’s player loan and emerging talent strategy.

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