Newcastle's new sporting director Paul Mitchell, has worked across Europe at the likes of; Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig and Southampton.

During that time he has played a crucial role in bringing key players to the respected clubs.

Here are some of his biggest signings:

• Sadio Mane to Southampton for £10m
• Toby Alderweireld to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee
• Kieran Trippier to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee
• Christopher Nkunku to RB Leipzig for €13m
• Dele Alli to Tottenham Hotspur for £5m

Newcastle's new sporting director Paul Mitchell has said, "the decision to join is an easy one," in a club statement.

Newcastle finished seventh in the Premier League last season and have also missed out on European qualification for the 2024-25 campaign.

"I can’t wait to get started and help continue the organisation's growth and long-term competitiveness in all areas of elite football performance, " Mitchell, added.

You can read more on Paul Mitchell joining Newcastle here.

We have been asking you this morning for your thoughts on what formation Gareth Southgate should choose for Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland and who should be in his starting XI.

That followed reports the England manager was considering switching to a back three.

We asked who would support that change, using the thumbs, and it seems an overwhelming majority are in favour.

At the last count, we had 2,223 thumbs up for a back three and just 196 thumbs down.

Now is your time to choose who you would want in your team to play against Switzerland .

Click this link and go to the bottom of the page to select your squad.

Hoppo, Cheltenham

BBC Radio 5 Live

A final word from Matthew Upson on whether international coaches build their squads with a specific formation in mind:

"I listen to coaches and they say 'this is how I’m going to play’ and drop in the players who will do the job. Whoever suits that role gets the jersey and if they don’t do it they are out.

"Every [opposition] manager has commented on how much our [England's] squad is worth. Every manager has sat in the news conference the day before [playing England] and said 'wow, what a group of players, they are worth way more than my team'.

"But it's got to be a team and sometimes all the [best] players in the squad might not make the best team."

Image source, Getty Images

Tim

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England defender Matthew Upson was asked on BBC Radio 5 Live whether players would ever break away from team tactics in international matches:

"I think you can look back and see moments where players go out and just do their thing because that’s what the moment requires."

On whether Phil Foden cutting in from the left was an example of the Manchester City forward breaking away from team tactics:

"I’m not sure. For me it is crying out for someone to hug the touchline. We haven’t got a left-back who is a left footer who is going to steam up the outside and get crosses into the box."

Martin Derby

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United have appointed former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, external as a replacement for Dan Ashworth.

Ashworth was officially announced as the new sporting director at Manchester United on Monday.

The 53-year-old was placed on gardening leave in February after telling Newcastle he wanted to join the revamped set-up under Ineos at Old Trafford.

Mitchell, 42, is a former director of scouting at Southampton and Newcastle, and left his previous role at Monaco in October.

"A former player whose playing career ended in early retirement due to injury, Paul is a well-respected sporting executive with a track record of success," said Newcastle, in a statement.

"His non-playing career started in scouting and recruitment, initially at MK Dons, before prominent roles at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Soccer International and AS Monaco.

"His recruitment success as director of scouting and analysis at Southampton helped the club to secure promotion back to the Premier League and become regular competitors in the top half of the table."

Eric, Cambridge

BBC Radio 5 Live

Matthew Upson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, on Phil Foden's comments that players should take a share of the blame for England's poor performances and that he feels sorry for manager Gareth Southgate:

"It's an indication of an obligation they feel towards him [Southgate]. It's a positive and a strength that the players are playing for the manager because we aren’t playing particularly well.

"I think both ways there has to be a mutual respect and you can see that with the comments and the way they look after each other. That is the reason why they are still here [in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals].

Image source, Getty Images

Russ from Durham

Alan

Ezri Konsa was "Thinking Out Loud" when speaking to the BBC about Ed Sheeran’s visit to the England camp earlier in the week.

"[I'm a] big fan," said the Aston Villa defender. "He chatted with everyone and he’s a really nice guy.

"A little moment of happiness again and it was nice to have him there."

Ed Sheeran was in Gelsenkirchen to watch the Three Lions' comeback win against Slovakia in the last-16.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Chris

BBC Radio 5 Live

More from Matthew Upson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, on whether Gareth Southgate will come under criticism for his team selection for Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland:

"Well it shouldn't be [the case]," said the former England defender. "Everyone should be equal, nobody has the jersey. He should be thinking 'if I want to take players out, I’ll take players out because we are a team and together in a tournament'."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa says he is “comfortable and confident” if Gareth Southgate chooses him to replace Marc Guehi, who is suspended for the quarter-final game against Switzerland on Saturday.

Konsa is reportedly first in line to replace Guehi, who has received a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards at the Euros.

"[We have] defended really well. If the boss puts me on I’ll always be ready," said Konsa, 26, who came on as a substitute in extra-time of England's last-16 win over Slovakia.

Guehi has started every game at this year's Euros alongside Manchester City's John Stones in the centre of a back four.

Konsa believes Guehi has been a “a key part in this tournament” and that he “wasn’t aware until after the game” that the Crystal Palace centre-back had picked up a one game suspension.

Owen in Brentwood

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England defender Matthew Upson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, on whether coaching during an international tournament was different or better than what he was used to at his club:

"Different always…Is it better? In Euros football or tournament football it’s about knockout football.

"When you are at your club it's about the bigger picture throughout the season and beyond.

"Can you do that in tournament football? There are so many different ways to approach it and the coaches and players have to adapt to that."

Image source, Getty Images

Paul S, Manchester

Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

This is the longest gap England have had between games. I suppose the hope is, that’s enough time to sort some stuff out.

I don’t think it’s easy to sort out what your plan is during a tournament. What you can do, in my view, is prepare independently for each game.

So that means change and you can prep all week for the system, the personnel.

Teams can do that during a Premier League season very well.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England defender Matthew Upson is currently talking on BBC Radio 5 Live.

You can listen to his interview using the Listen Live icon at the top of this page.

He is sure to have a view on how England's defence should line up in their quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.

We will bring you his thoughts on the selection issues facing Gareth Southgate...