Newcastle United’s New Set Piece Coach
Newcastle United is preparing to hire Martin Mark, previously with FC Midtjylland, as their new set piece coach for the upcoming season. At just 31, Mark has gained recognition for his innovative strategies, which have made him a target for the club over the past several months. Newcastle explored various candidates while seeking a specialist to join head coach Eddie Howe‘s staff.
Restructuring and Development
Last summer marked a significant shift for the club as they appointed James Bunce as their performance director, reflecting an initiative to develop specialized roles within the organization. This restructuring effort has seen the introduction of new posts in various departments, specifically in the first-team coaching setup.
Analytical Backbone
The club possesses a strong analytical backbone, notably with Kieran Taylor as the senior analyst focusing on set pieces, while Stephen Purches, a first-team coach, also plays a crucial role in managing dead-ball situations along with assistant coach Jason Tindall.
Martin Mark’s Career and Achievements
Having begun his career at FC Midtjylland in 2017 as a youth coach, Mark advanced to become head of set pieces in 2022. Under his guidance, the Danish team secured the second position in their league after claiming the championship title the previous season.
Newcastle United’s Recent Success
Meanwhile, Newcastle United made a commendable fifth-place finish in the Premier League, earning a spot in the 2025-26 Champions League. Additionally, they celebrated a significant victory in March by winning their first domestic cup in 70 years, triumphing over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
