Celtic (a) SOLD OUT 

Latest:
Isak pulls out

To nobody's great shock, the Swedish FA confirmed on Tuesday that Alexander Isak had withdrawn from the national squad ahead of two games next month.

An unspecified minor injury was given as the reason for pulling out, media outlets closer to home claiming that the striker has a groin issue - which would explain his unremarkable club performances in recent weeks. 

It's unclear whether a period of rest or surgery will follow. 

Update:
Mitchell bombshell

From NUFC, Tuesday:

Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United’s Sporting Director, will leave the club by mutual consent at the end of June 2025.

Paul joined the club in July 2024, reuniting him with Magpies CEO Darren Eales, who had previously recruited Paul to Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.

Due to health reasons, Darren will be stepping down as CEO in the near future.

During Paul’s tenure as Sporting Director, the club won its first major domestic trophy in 70 years by lifting the Carabao Cup in March 2025 and has secured Champions League football for the 2025/26 campaign.

Paul Mitchell said: "I'd like to thank everyone at Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley, the players, staff, owners and fans. It has been an honour to be part of the club and to work with some incredible people.

"I'm leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales - someone who I have worked so closely with in my career - moving on soon.

"The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building.

"I'd like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and successful future."

Paul leaves with the club’s best wishes and the Board would like to express its sincere thanks to him for his professionalism and diligent service.

This unexpected development looks to have caught the media on the hop, following reports that Eddie Howe was meeting Mitchell to discuss transfers on Sunday night. Both men had earlier featured in the post-game celebrations.

There seemed to be an assumption that the pair had developed a working relationship since an apparent power struggle following Mitchell's installation last July. That version of events now seems flawed. 

Mitchell departs having failed to oversee any meaningful acquisitions since belatedly succeeding Dan Ashworth and speculation over the next Sporting Director has already included current Head of recruitment Steve Nickson. 

The 60 year-old who has been at United for over a decade was linked with the post following Ashworth's departure, but remained at SJP to work under Mitchell in a diluted role. Messrs Tonali, Isak, Gordon, Joelinton, Bruno and Botman were all recruited under his guidance. 

Andy Howe remains in post at United as assistant head of first team recruitment, assuming that role in February 2024 after two years in a scouting position. He's Eddie's nephew.

There's no confirmation as yet whether club Performance Director James Bunce will remain in post, having previously worked alongside Mitchell at Southampton and Monaco.

2025/26:
Korea opportunities

From NUFC, Tuesday:

Our men's team will play matches in South Korea for the first time in the club's history this summer. 

Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, we will take part in the prestigious Coupang Play Series 2025, one of Asia's biggest summer sporting events.

Eddie Howe's men will head to South Korea for two highly anticipated games where we will face a K-League Select XI, followed by an all-Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Venues and fixture dates are set to be announced in coming weeks, along with ticket details for fans in South Korea as well as those wishing to travel to support us.

This will be the fourth staging of the annual Coupang Play event, with four of the six games to date played at the 65,000 capacity World Cup Stadium in Seoul (pictured above), including both 2024 fixtures.

The football-asian.com website claims United's game against the K-League XI will be played at the 42,000 capacity Suwon World Cup Stadium near Seoul. 

United's pre-season itinerary is shaping up as follows:

Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (a)
Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) Singapore
??? ??.??.2025 K League XI (a) South Korea
??? ??.??.2025 Spurs (n) South Korea

There's the chance to win one of three autographed boots in a Wor Flags fundraising raffle, with ones from Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak up for grabs. 

Tickets cost £5 each and can be bought online here

Closing date is this coming Saturday 31st May at 3pm.

Premier League:
United effort confirms
Champions League spot

Newcastle  0  Everton  1

A 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday confirmed that the mackems will return to the Premier League next season for the first time since 2016/17.

The red and whites will join Burnley and Leeds United in the top flight, with Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City returning to the Championship.

That all means that Newcastle's PL mileage in 2025/26 will drop by a whopping 1,300 miles from 9,462 to 8,162. 

Update:
Home kit confirmation