Former Manchester United scout has found a new gig: Newcastle get a highly-respected talent hunter

Newcastle United has appointed experienced scout Marcel Bout as their chief scout as part of the club's ambitions to establish a strong presence in English and European football in the coming years. The 60-year-old Dutchman will take on the role of head of global scouting and is tasked with the identification of talented players between the ages of 16 and 23 from around the world who can potentially join Newcastle's first team.

This strategic move comes after Newcastle came under the ownership of Saudi investors in 2021, leading to a more targeted approach to team investments. The club's successful qualification for the Champions League last season marked a significant milestone. Now, the club's management is focusing on expanding its scouting network to identify the best talent, regardless of the head coach in charge.

Bout brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously held a similar position at Manchester United for many years before Erik Ten Hag arrived in 2022. He joined Manchester United in 2014 as part of Louis van Gaal's coaching staff and continued his role at the club even after Van Gaal's departure. It was a testament to his capabilities. At Bayern Munich, he was responsible for match analyses. Bout expressed his enthusiasm for joining Newcastle, citing the club's continuous growth and the opportunity to work at the Champions League level. Notably, he will be based in the Netherlands and will travel to Newcastle when needed.

Unlike his previous roles abroad, Bout has not held a prominent scouting position in the Netherlands. He has worked in various capacities at clubs like Haarlem, Feyenoord, Volendam, AZ, and Telstar, including coaching. He was also an assistant coach, recovery trainer, head of youth training, and scout. He provided match analyses for the Dutch national team under Louis van Gaal.