Newcastle United’s European scouting supremo Marcel Bout has been on Tyneside to discuss the summer’s recruitment plans.
The Dutchman, who headed Manchester United’s scouting system for six years, came on board at Newcastle in late 2023 following his role at Old Trafford, where he worked alongside Louis van Gaal but stayed on after the ex-Barcelona manager’s departure. Bout had also worked at Bayern Munich and as an analyst with the Holland Under-21 squad.
Bout’s arrival at Newcastle has coincided with the arrival of younger talent from abroad such as Baran Yildiz from Genclerbirligi with the 18-year-old deemed a hot prospect for the future. Another teenager in Antonio Cordero from Malaga is also due to arrive later this year after Newcastle appear to have pipped Real Madrid and Barca for his signature.
The 62-year-old scout was in the stands for the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest amid three-day summits involving PIF chiefs last week when Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan flew in from Riyadh. However, Bout joined head of recruitment Steve Nickson, senior scout Mick Tait and Academy duo Steve Harper and Jack Ross in the transfer-related discussions.
After Bout’s arrival last year, head coach Eddie Howe was thrilled to add such a figure with rich European experience and player knowledge on board. Howe told Chronicle Live then: “I don’t think it will necessarily impact first-team recruitment, I think it is more on the younger side. It is certainly a welcome addition to the football club.”
With Newcastle knowing they must be inventive in the transfer window due to the constraints upon them because of the PSR rulebook, sourcing young talent, at a cheaper rate to established stars, is going to be vital at St James’ Park. And that’s where Bout will fit in moving forward as he scours countries like Holland, Belgium, France and Portugal for the next big thing.
Bout actually shed more light on his work when leaving Man United in 2023 after the arrival of Erik ten Hag. Back then, after being dismissed, Bout said: ‘”I could have been an ideal guide for Ten Hag within the club. But Manchester United is not only a fantastic club but also a difficult club.
“Everything is politically and commercially driven. My dismissal was a political dismissal. An influential Dutch bloc (at the club)… Not everyone liked that. I have been critical (of Man United) internally.
“A major annoyance was the long lines (delays) within Man United to make decisions about interesting players. Other top European clubs now have top players that we had seen early on with the scouting staff.”
Bout is now 14 months into his role at Newcastle but seems to be quietly getting on with his role in the background as younger signings from Europe are gradually added into the system.
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