RB Leipzig head of recruitment Mitchell ‘flattered’ by Manchester United links

Jack Sear

RB Leipzig head of recruitment Mitchell ‘flattered’ by Manchester United links image

RB Leipzig head of recruitment and development Paul Mitchell has refused to rule out the possibility of him taking up a similar role at Manchester United.

Mitchell, 37, made the move to the Bundesliga side in February after a successful spell with Tottenham.

Reports have suggested that the Red Devils are on the lookout for an individual to help manager Jose Mourinho with player recruitment.

Mourinho is said to have been left disappointed in the summer after the club failed to back him in the transfer market, with the United boss keen to add a new centre-back to his squad. 

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is the man who is often left to work on transfers with Mourinho, but in recent weeks it’s been claimed that Leipzig head of recruitment Mitchell, who was born in Manchester, could be on United’s radar.

When pressed on reports suggesting that United could be about to lure him from the Bundesliga side, Mitchell said:

“Manchester United are recognised for being one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“So any link with a club of that size, history and status is very flattering and I am a Manchester boy.

“There hasn't been any contact with United at this moment, for me it’s always about focusing on the job in hand.

“I’m more than aware I work for a great organisation, but then like always you never know in football what can happen in the future.”

Mitchell is a former player, having enjoyed spells with the likes of Wigan Athletic and MK Dons, before he took up a role as head of recruitment with the latter in 2010.

His good work there lead to him being appointed in a similar role at Southampton at the age of just 30.

He moved onto Spurs in 2014 and played a part in the signings of Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld among others.

One of his most successful recruitments at Leipzig was Everton and England U21 winger Ademola Lookman, who enjoyed a successful spell at the Bundesliga club during the second half of last season.

Jack Sear