Newcastle announce departure of Jimenez

Newcastle have announced that Tony Jimenez has left the club, adding to the turmoil surrounding the Tyneside outfit.

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Jimenez (right) had been working under Dennis Wise.

The man appointed vice-president (player recruitment) by owner Mike Ashley when he installed his off-the-field team under executive director (football) Dennis Wise, has left St James' Park to ''pursue other interests''.

A club statement on the Newcastle website read: ''Newcastle United can today confirm that Tony Jimenez has left the club.

Tony, who was appointed vice-president (player recruitment) in January, has made the decision in order to pursue other interests.

''Newcastle United thanks Tony for all of his hard work and efforts and wishes him every success in the future.''

The Magpies have been a club in disarray ever since the departure of manager Kevin Keegan, who ironically cited his inability to work with Jimenez and director of football Dennis Wise as one of the reasons behind his decision to move on.

Wise, Jimenez and technical co-ordinator Jeff Vetere were put in place to oversee the club's recruitment policy, although their roles have proved controversial.

Keegan resigned last month after furious disagreements with managing director Derek Llambias over the club's transfer policy, which saw James Milner sold to Aston Villa and Fabricio Coloccini, Jonas Gutierrez, Danny Guthrie, Xisco and loan signing Ignacio Gonzalez drafted in.

Owner Mike Ashley has since put the club up for sale, and Jimenez flew out to Dubai with the other executives in the hope that his business contacts could help them push through a quick deal.

However, Ashley will now need to find a buyer without the help of Jimenez after the club confirmed his departure on Thursday.