Al-Hilal in talks with ex-Newcastle director Paul Mitchell and eye Italy chief as Saudi giants look to build new era under Simone Inzaghi

Al-Hilal are looking to add a world-class sporting director in their club, continuing their strategic recruitment from Europe's top clubs. The club's president, Fahad bin Nafel, has initiated a casting process that has identified several top-tier candidates. Among them are former Newcastle and Monaco sporting director Mitchell, who is reportedly in negotiations, and Inter's technical director, Ausilio. The move signals a shift in focus for the Saudi giants from simply acquiring star players to building a robust, long-term organisational structure, according to Tutto Sport.

The club has already made a statement with the appointment of Italian coach Inzaghi from Inter and has followed up with the signings of players like Darwin Nunez and Theo Hernandez. Having defeated a European powerhouse like Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Saudi side's ambitions are clear: they want to move beyond being a regional force and become a sustainable global powerhouse. Bringing in a respected sporting director is the next logical step to ensure that the club’s strategic vision, transfer dealings, and squad management are aligned for long-term success.

Ausilio is an ideal candidate due to his proven track record at Inter, where he delivered two Scudetti and reached two Champions League finals despite operating with limited transfer funds. His existing strong working relationship with Inzaghi makes him a perfect fit, although reportedly he remains committed to Inter. Meanwhile, Mitchell has a reputation for his work in reviving clubs at Monaco and Newcastle and is highly sought after for his expertise in player recruitment and club development. The club also sounded out Juventus' Cristiano Giuntoli, who reportedly declined for family reasons, and are also considering Benfica’s sporting director, Rui Pedro Braz.

The Saudi club will continue to evaluate candidates, with a focus on finding a director whose vision aligns with that of president bin Nafel and Inzaghi. Meanwhile, the Saudi side will face Al-Adalah in the first round of King Cup of Champions on September 21.