Newcastle have announced that CEO Darren Eales will step down from his role after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.

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• Eales has been in role since July 2022
• 52-year-old will continue to lead team in short-term
• CEO will support transition as club search for successor

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Newcastle made the shock announcement on Friday, with the club paying tribute to Eales and his work since being appointed ten months after the takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Eales oversaw Newcastle's rise in recent seasons, with the club reaching their first domestic final in 24 years and also qualifying for the Champions League in the 2022/23 season. The Chelmsford-born director spent time at Tottenham and MLS side Atlanta United before joining the Magpies and had been expected to take on a greater role after Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi left the club during the summer.

• WHAT EALES SAID

  Eales said: "Being CEO of Newcastle United is an extraordinary privilege and I am incredibly proud to be part of the club's exciting journey. However, it has become apparent to me that now is the right time to make this decision so that I can prioritise my health and my family. In the short term, it will be business as usual in terms of running the club's day-to-day operations, and I will give my full support to a transitionary period that will enable the board to carefully assess and appoint my successor. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the club's supporters, ownership, players and staff. I'm proud of what we have collectively achieved and I'm excited to see what's ahead for everyone as the club builds towards a future of sustained success."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EALES AND NEWCASTLE?

  Newcastle have not given any further information about Eales' condition or the status of his blood cancer, however the CEO is set to continue his role in the short-term as the search for a successor begins. While Newcastle will undoubtedly only be thinking of Eales' health, the sudden news will not do any favours for manager Eddie Howe, who has already been dealing with the shake up from the appointment of Paul Mitchell as the club's sporting director this summer.

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