Kenyon has the contacts and credentials to be the perfect choice to take over Magpies
PETER Kenyon has a big interest in North East football and is thought to be serious about a takeover at Newcastle United.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea supremo has held highpowered roles at two of the Premier League’s big four but he has also worked in the capacity of special advisor to Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.
Kenyon has one of the best contact books in the football world and set up a youth link-up with Atletico Madrid during his time on Teesside.
Kenyon also advised Atletico during that period.
The connection between the La Liga side and Boro resulted in their respective youth teams playing friendlies and players jetting out to Madrid to experience life at one of the top clubs in Spain.
Kenyon’s links also include a solid partnership with top football agent Jorge Mendes - whose client list includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Angel Di Maria, Colombia striker Radamel Falcao and David de Gea to name but a few.
Back in 2013, Gibson said: “I have known Peter for almost 20 years and he has put in a lot of air miles to make these deals happen.
“It is of huge benefit everyone in football takes Peter Kenyon’s call. “He is a very successful man and I wanted an outsider’s view.
“I felt I was not being challenged enough within the club so I asked him to come and look at everything and say where he thought we could improve.
“His contact book is extensive and he has given us a route to the most powerful agent in world football in Mendes.
“Through Peter we have really moved the club forward in a short space of time – he has been key to it all.”
“Peter has been a great asset in
that capacity and, of course, his contacts book is like no other – everybody in football takes Peter Kenyon’s call.
“Through Peter we have been able to set up an excellent relationship with Atletico Madrid.
“We have been able to get a route into possibly the most powerful agent in the world in Mendes and Peter has been proactive in doing that.
“We are also building other links we are not ready to announce but we see ourselves being part of an elite three of four group of clubs which will help each other.
“Peter has worked very hard for the club in the last few months, he has done a lot of air miles.”
Kenyon also helped negotiate the transfer of Patrick Bamford from Chelsea to Boro and the appointment of Aitor Karanka.
Gibson’s friendship with Kenyon started as the duo both have properties in Saint Helier in the tax haven of Jersey. ■■NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez hopes to have injured defenders Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett back for Saturday’s testing trip to Manchester United.