Mitchell named Head of Recruitment at RB Leipzig

PAUL MITCHELL has been appointed Head of Recruitment and Development at RB Leipzig after the club endured an "unacceptable" January transfer window.

Mitchell, 36, resigned from Tottenham, where he held a similar role, in August 2016. He had reportedly grown frustrated at working with Daniel Levy.

The Spurs chairman made him serve half of his 16-month notice period, eventually allowing him to go on gardening leave in August last year.

Leipzig are currently third in the Bundesliga and already have an English influence, having taken forward Ademola Lookman on loan from Everton until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old promptly scored the winner on his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend. Sporting Director Ralf Ragnick believes Mitchell - “one of the most well-known and competent scouts in England" - will have a key role to play at the club.

He said: “Mitchell had offers from many clubs, having basically led Southampton back to the Premier League with players that he discovered and developed there.

"He then moved with [Mauricio] Pochettino to Tottenham, and for two years he played a massive part in improving the quality of their squad - predominately playing with by far the highest number of young players in a top Premier League team."

Ragnick said the move was prompted by the club’s disappointing performance in the January transfer window.

“We couldn't do a deal for any player and I find this hard to accept,” he said.

After retiring from playing, in 2008, Mitchell became Head of Recruitment at MK Dons, where he formed a close friendship with their current boss, Dan Micchiche. In January 2008, he joined Southampton, where he worked closely with Pochettino.

The Argentine was influential in Mitchell's appointment Spurs in December 2014.