Nottingham Forest chief football officer Ross Wilson is said to have ‘advanced’ through the process as Newcastle United search for a new sporting director.
The 41-year-old first emerged as a target for the Magpies last month. He was said to have had ‘contact’ with those in charge of recruiting for the position at St James’ Park.
It has now been reported Wilson has had a ‘follow-up’ interview for the role. According to The Athletic, the Reds chief and former Arsenal interim sporting director Jason Ayto are both in contention for the vacancy.
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Newcastle are on the lookout for a replacement for Paul Mitchell, who left the club on Monday. A final decision has not yet been made, but Wilson and Ayto are said to be ‘prominent’ in the hierarchy’s thoughts.
Former Rangers sporting director Wilson took up post at the City Ground in April 2023. He was appointed as the Reds moved swiftly to replace axed sporting director Filippo Giraldi.
Since then, Forest have made remarkable progress. Next season will see Nuno Espirito Santo’s men compete in Europe for the first time in three decades after their seventh-placed finish in the Premier League clinched a spot in the Conference League.
Earlier this year, Wilson was linked with a return to former club Huddersfield Town. The Terriers were said to be keen for him to take on a senior role focused on driving their recruitment strategy.
Wilson had a spell at Huddersfield as head of football operations earlier in his career. Reports suggested he turned down an approach to head back to his old stomping ground.
The Scot has also previously held leadership roles at Southampton, Watford and Falkirk. He spent three-and-a-half years at Rangers prior to linking up with Forest.
Wilson being linked with a role at Newcastle comes amid the Magpies’ interest in Reds winger Anthony Elanga.The Sweden international has long been on Newcastle’s radar and they have reignited their pursuit of him after failing in their efforts last summer.
Last week, Forest rejected a £45 million offer from their Premier League rivals for Elanga. On Tuesday, it emerged Newcastle had ‘touched base’ once again with an improved bid of more than £50m.
