Premier League side Newcastle United have appointed Lee Charnley, the club’s former secretary, as managing director. 

Charnley has been with the club for 15 years, serving as a director since 2008. 

The Tyneside team, currently ninth in the Premier League table, confirmed in the same release that owner Mike Ashley has been formally appointed to the club’s board of directors, joining Charnley and John Irving, the head of finance. 

Charnley, who takes up the post with immediate effect, said: "Our immediate priority of course is to finish this season as strongly as possible. Our minimum target for this campaign was a top ten finish, but I can assure our supporters that everyone at Newcastle United will do their utmost to ensure the Club finishes in the highest league position it can. Newcastle confirms Wonga as ‘lead commercial sponsor’ for the next four years

"At the beginning of the season all our staff and players were incentivised should we finish in tenth position and above, and our commitment to achieving this will continue right up until the final whistle on 11th May.

To their credit, the players, led by the captain, agreed to this incentive scheme despite our 16th place finish last season. Looking ahead to future seasons, our primary focus will remain the Premier League.”