Newcastle United is poised to enlist the services of Marcel Bout, a former scout from Manchester United. Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, has expressed his enthusiasm for this development, labeling it a “welcome addition” to the club’s recruitment network.
Bout, who previously served as a scout for Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal in 2014 and has also contributed to Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team, is set to assume the role of chief scout for players aged 16 to 23 at Newcastle United. Having departed from his position as Manchester United’s chief global scout in 2022, Bout confirmed his ongoing discussions with Newcastle about returning to England.
In an interview with AD Sportwereld, Bout expressed his attraction to Newcastle’s continuous growth, stating, “The steady expansion of the club appeals to me. I’m also happy to be back in England and at Champions League level.”
Eddie Howe clarified that the appointment was an internal decision made by the club and wouldn’t directly impact first-team recruitment. He emphasized that Bout’s focus would likely be on the younger side of player development, characterizing the addition as a positive one for the football club.
Newcastle, facing various injury concerns and the long-term suspension of summer signing Sandro Tonali, valued at £52 million, is gearing up for squad reinforcement in the January transfer window. The club’s recruitment network has undergone significant expansion in recent seasons, with the addition of scouts both domestically and internationally.
To navigate Financial Fair Play regulations and enhance the team’s long-term prospects, Sporting Director Dan Ashworth has prioritized the acquisition of younger players with more modest transfer fees.