JUST IN: Newcastle Add Another Key Figure to Their Project as Ambitious Plans Gather Pace

Newcastle United have made a new appointment behind the scenes at academy level this summer.

As Newcastle United’s summer transfer business heats up at first-team level, the club are also making moves within the academy setup through a series of behind-the-scenes appointments.

As previously reported by The Gazette, Newcastle have been looking to appoint an academy individual development coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The club have now appointed former Aston Villa and Portsmouth academy coach Sam Hudson to the role.

After spells at Cardiff City, Burton Albion and Derby County, Hudson worked at Aston Villa’s academy during the 2021/22 season before joining Portsmouth’s academy. After initially working as a Player Development Programme Assistant Coach on the south coast, he later stepped into a lead coach role.

Hudson left Pompey after four years this summer to take up his new position at Newcastle.

Confirming his arrival at the club, Hudson took to social media to post an image of himself at the academy, alongside the caption: “Delighted to announce my new role as Individual Development Coach at @NUFC.

“Looking forward to working my 14th season in the game at such a massive football club.”

Hudson’s role will see him work on the individual development of academy players within Newcastle’s full-time training programme across multiple age groups.

In addition to his work at club level, Hudson is also a coaching consultant and guest speaker for the Premier League, as well as a lead tactical analyst and coaching consultant at The Coaches’ Voice.

Newcastle United’s academy has undergone significant investment in players, staff and infrastructure over the past few years as the club looks to build for the future. This week saw Newcastle academy product Elliot Anderson become the most expensive English player of all time after joining Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.