Eddie Howe’s nephew Andy will be joining Newcastle United’s scouting department, as the Premier League club continues their search for a director of football.

The former Bournemouth head of first-team domestic player scouting was in the running for openings at other Premier League and EFL clubs, but he will work under Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment, at St James’ Park.

Andy previously worked with Eddie at Bournemouth and Burnley and also had a stint at Plymouth Argyle.

Nickson and Eddie Howe have been working in tandem as part of Newcastle’s recruitment team during the January window, alongside Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben, the directors, and Jason Tindall, the assistant head coach. The club have signed Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood so far this month, but hope to make up to five further additions before the window closes.

Andy Howe will be part of Nickson’s scouting department, which is expected to grow further in time.

Newcastle are hoping to name a director of football and a CEO in the coming weeks, following long processes that have been carried out by third-party recruitment firms.

To appoint another scout before a director of football in place is unusual, but so too was appointing a head coach before the executive structure was agreed upon, and Nickson’s team, like many other departments, was extremely pared-down under Mike Ashley’s ownership, so the additional expertise is deemed essential.

Over the weekend, Andy Howe confirmed his Bournemouth exit on Instagram. He wrote: “After an amazing 10 years within Bournemouth’s recruitment department, I’ve decided it’s time for my next challenge.

“The 10 years have flown by but what a 10 years it has been!! The journey has been incredible and like everyone else I’m proud to have played a part in that journey. I want to thank everyone within the football club from past to present but more importantly to wish the club continued success.”

(Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)

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