On Wednesday morning, Newcastle United made an official announcement.
The club has announced the appointment of Dr. Ian Mitchell.
Bringing in a Head of Psychology to work across Newcastle United, assisting both players and staff, was a significant move for Eddie Howe and the club.
Newcastle United made an official statement on October 18, 2023:
Newcastle United is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Ian Mitchell as the Head of Psychology, commencing his role next month. In this capacity, Ian will be instrumental in establishing and enhancing the provision of performance psychology throughout the football club. His responsibilities will extend to working with players and staff across the men’s, women’s, and Academy teams, as well as those on loan at other clubs.
Ian is set to officially assume his role with the Magpies on November 21st, marking his departure from his current position as the Head of Performance Psychology at the Football Association of Wales (FAW), a role he has held for the second time. During a brief transition period, he will continue to support the FAW.
Ian, a former professional player with Hereford United, has previously been involved in sports psychology with club-level teams like Sheffield United and Swansea City. However, he is most renowned for his contributions to the Welsh and English national associations.
In his first tenure with the FAW, Ian worked closely with the Wales men’s national team, helping Chris Coleman’s squad reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. In 2018, he left the FAW to join the English Football Association, where he worked with current Newcastle United players, including Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, and Callum Wilson. During his time with the English national team, he supported Gareth Southgate’s senior side as they emerged as runners-up at the UEFA Euro 2020 and reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Ian returned to the FAW earlier this year to assist in the association’s High-Performance Plan before being recruited by Newcastle United.
In his own words, Ian expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Newcastle United at this exciting time. The club has an ambitious vision with values that strongly align with my own. This role will enable us to build a team and structure that positively influences the performance and well-being of our staff and players. I am eager to meet everyone at the club and fully committed to contributing to the continued success of Newcastle United.”
Dan Ashworth, Sporting Director of Newcastle United, also conveyed his delight at Ian’s arrival, emphasizing the crucial role of psychology in modern football. He highlighted Ian’s extensive experience and standing in the world of sports, particularly football, as a significant asset. The club is dedicated to providing robust support to its personnel, ensuring that staff and players are fully equipped to handle the unique challenges of elite-level sports.
Leave a Reply