Darren Eales, the chief executive of Newcastle United, has announced that he will be stepping down from his role after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer. Despite this news, Eales will continue in his position until a successor is appointed.

“Being CEO of Newcastle United is an extraordinary privilege and I am incredibly proud to be part of the club’s exciting journey,” Eales stated. “However it has become apparent to me that now is the right time to make this decision so that I can prioritize my health and my family.”

Eales was the first chief executive appointed following Newcastle’s £300m takeover by majority Saudi Arabian owners. During his tenure, Eddie Howe’s team finished fourth in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season and made it to the Carabao Cup final. He has also been involved in recent changes at the club, including the departure of minority co-owners and directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, as well as the recruitment of Paul Mitchell as sporting director.

Yasir al-Rumayyan, Newcastle’s chairman, expressed gratitude towards Eales for his “significant contribution” and stated, “All of us connected with Newcastle United are very saddened by this news.” Eales, who is a Cambridge law graduate and has previously worked with Tottenham and Atlanta in Major League Soccer, is focused on ensuring a seamless transition for his successor.

“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,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe is facing challenges with the team’s performance, as some key players like Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, and Anthony Gordon have been struggling to find form. The manager admits he faces “difficult decisions” ahead of their match against Manchester City on Saturday.