Prospective new owners would have big issues to tackle
EVEN if Newcastle United’s sale went through in time for pre-season 2021, the new owners would still have a lot of work to do and some big decisions to make in their first season.
Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund initially wanted to be through the door in time for the start of the current campaign, but withdrew from the bid last July when the Premier League could not make a decision on whether to sanction the takeover.
As things stand, the Middle East consortium – with the PIF wanting an 80% stake in the club – are waiting to see the outcome of Mike Ashley’s arbitration battle with the Premier League.
Should Ashley get what he wants, and with the Sports Direct magnate pumping in good money into legal fees and hiring Nick De Marco to try to do exactly that, the PIF would then embark on a longterm venture at St James’ Park.
In a short statement to Sky Sports recently, Ashley said: “NUFC (is) fighting tooth and nail, the fans and the region are being denied what they deserve.”
Ashley’s words go hand in hand with Newcastle Consortium Supporters Ltd, who believe the Tyneside area has been denied a massive opportunity for both investments at the club and within the city.
The current regime know all about the challenge of the two fans, Gordon Stein and Keith Patterson, and are united in their aims to get a positive result for the supporters, despite being two separate legal fights.
But what happens if this deal does go through?
And how quickly can fans expect major change?
There has been plenty of talk of Rafa Benitez returning to the club if the new regime take their seats at the table but they may have to give
Steve Bruce (right) a sporting chance to work with them first, and if they did decide to change boss they would have to pay the former
Newcastle chief’s release fee, which runs into seven figures.
Bruce said last summer: “All I want is what’s best for this great club.
“If new owners come in and take the club forward that’s what we all want as Newcastle fans.”
Staveley and Co would then look to take care of business with the supporters and would be receptive to meetings with NUST and other longstanding fan groups, while there would also be dialogue with the Newcastle United Women team as part of their future vision, something Benitez was eager to do had he got the green light for plans after his last deal ended.
It was stated 12 months ago that the new owners would also like to get Alan Shearer involved in a role at the club as relations remain cold between the legendary striker and the current regime. Kevin Keegan, another who fell out with Ashley, might also be consulted.
Although a head coach that can work towards the long-term goal of the would-be new owners is more likely.
When the Middle East group withdrew back in July they underlined their hopes for the Magpies and said: “As an autonomous and purely commercial investor, our focus was on building long-term value for the Club, its fans and the community as we remained committed to collaboration, practicality and proactivity through a difficult period of global uncertainty and significant challenges for the fans and the Club.”
Newcastle fans would happily go along with long-term and while there were huge headlines of United becoming the richest club in the land this time 12 months ago, there would certainly be patience.
It’s not top-four places and trophies the Toon faithful are demanding, it is simply a bit of hope and excitement around the football club with a bit more communication chucked in!
For now, the annual count up to 38-40 points continues and not much will change until arbitration gets started.
Bruce will stay in charge, and if things don’t move quickly over the summer it will be the Geordie head coach who starts pre-season with a limited transfer budget.