Home Blog Page 3

Philippe Coutinho could set the Newcastle ball rolling in the summer

0
Coutinho
All rights reserved by the London Evening Standard

According to the Daily Star, Newcastle United are interested in Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho but the transfer of the Brazilian superstar is dependant on the successful takeover of the Magpies.

The 27-year-old is a player who will be familiar to the Newcastle faithful having put up a show in Liverpool’s 6-0 win at St James Park in 2013. Only three months into his Liverpool career, Coutinho showcased exactly what he was capable of. He laid off two assists in what was an exhilarating performance that night.

If all goes well he could be doing that on a weekly basis, this time for the white and black. A potential transfer is one that could work out for all parties.

The Brazilian’s stint at Barcelona has been underwhelming considering his brilliance at Liverpool. The Catalans were so convinced by the player that they forked out a deal worth £142 million for the player.

Although it can be argued, especially with the advantage of hindsight that they had overpaid, they were getting a bonafide superstar in the then Liverpool number 10. Had things worked out differently, it would have been money well spent.

As it stands, the player is keen to make his way back to England where he made a name for himself. With Liverpool not in favor of a reunion, Newcastle is the latest team to throw their names into the hat for the player.

A win-win for all parties

In many ways, the deal ticks boxes for all parties involved. Newcastle will get a world-class player still in his prime while the club’s new riches can afford to offer Barcelona a better deal than our competitors. Especially given the current financial instability.

Coutinho will not only return to the league he excelled in but can once again be the main man at the club. As the attacking lynchpin of the Liverpool side, he ran the show for the Red half of Merseyside.

He revelled in the attention and support he received at Anfield to deliver one matchwinning performance after the other. Relegated to the shadows at Barcelona, his usual swagger and confidence have been missing. A player who thrives in confidence, support at the Camp Nou has been sorely lacking.

Unlike other teams interested in him, Newcastle are in a position to offer him a chance at becoming the face of the project. He will not only be a marquee player but also the focal point around whom the team can be built.

Philippe Coutinho.

Add to that the adoration he would receive from the Magpies faithful, he could ask for no better place to resurrect his career. Being part of a new project will offer him the chance to restart what has become a faltering career.

Considering the lack of faith shown in him at Barcelona and to an extent Bayern Munich, he will grasp this chance with both hands. If all goes well, he will be remembered as the player who helped kickstart the Newcastle era. This will help preserve his reputation on this side of the Channel.

Newcastle loves their heroes and Coutinho has the chance to be just that.

More football news

Fifteen years ago, Newcastle signed a former Liverpool star who had endured a mixed time in Spain. Little did they know that they were signing a player whose best days were behind him.

Hopefully in the second time of asking, they will get the real deal.

Is Rafa Benitez the man to take Newcastle forward?

0
Rafa Benitez
All rights reserved by Goal

Newcastle United are on the brink of a £300m takeover by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium; which will include Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, becoming the club’s new chairman.

Inevitably, questions are already being asked as to whether current manager Steve Bruce is the man to lead the club forward; with former boss Rafa Benitez being heavily linked with a return to St. James’ Park.

It’s long been felt by the majority of Newcastle fans that Benitez was onto something special at the club, and could have achieved a lot more if he was given extra finance by owner Mike Ashley.

The Spaniard provided a sense of unity between the management, players and fans; playing on the distain that the latter had for Ashley, with countless interviews used as a political opportunity to put pressure on the club’s hierarchy to give him the financial tools which he deemed necessary to take Newcastle onto the next level.

However, it’s understandable as to why Ashley was unwilling to back him to the tune which was requested.

Rafa Benitez.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels was Benitez’s first permanent import; announced just before the return to pre-season ahead of the 2016/17 Championship season.

There’s no doubt that one of the hardest rebuilding jobs in professional football is selling high earners following relegation from the Premier League; whilst also bringing in players of the desired ability to leave England’s second division at the first time of asking.

Across the whole of the summer of 2016, Newcastle received just over £85m – much due to the sales of Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham, £30m), Gini Wijnaldum (Liverpool, £25m) and Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace, £13m).

On the incoming side, around £57.5m was spent. Despite being in the black by £27.5m, it was the type of players which were signed by Benitez which would have given cause for concern for Ashley – mainly because the vast majority had no sell on value.

READ MORE: Newcastle United: A new dawn

Following Sels’ capture; Dwight Gayle (£10m), Matt Ritchie (£12m), Isaac Hayden (£4m), Grant Hanley (£5.5m), Ciaran Clark (£5m), Mo Diame (£5m), DeAndre Yedlin (£5m), Daryl Murphy (£3m), Achraf Lazaar (£3m) and Jesus Gamez (free) were signed.

From that list, it could only be argued that Hayden and Yedlin would have any resemblance of a future sell on value.

In fact, Sels (£4m), Murphy (£2m), Hanley (£3m) and Gamez (released) were out of the club within two years; while Diame left last summer for free, and Lazaar is currently on loan at Italian Serie B side Cosenza – after appearing just four times in a black and white shirt.

Ahead of playing Barnsley at home in the final game of their Championship title-winning season, Benitez wrote in his programme notes that “we have achieved what we wanted”.

13-days previously, an Ayoze Perez brace had helped Benitez’s side to a 4-1 win at home to Preston, which sealed promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt – and sealed Benitez’s personal remit.

But Newcastle’s second Championship title within the last 10 years was confirmed after Brighton could only draw 1-1 at Aston Villa on the final day, after an 89th-minute strike from Jack Grealish crept under the body of ‘keeper David Stockdale.

Chris Hughton’s side had also faltered in the two games before that, losing at Norwich and at home to Bristol City, when the club needed just three points to clinch the title.

With the Seagulls falling at the final hurdle, Benitez secured the 10th major title of his career – but failure to do so would have been a massive underachievement.

Benitez

Newcastle’s wage bill was up by £37.5m to £112.2m; which was almost three times of second-placed Brighton’s (£40.4m) and close to six times greater than play-off winners Huddersfield’s (£21.7m).

To put that into context, United’s wage bill would have put them mid-table in terms of Premier League wage budgets.

Ashley also saw the club’s wage-to-turnover ratio reach a staggering 130.9%, up from 59.4% in the Premier League, while Benitez’s £6m-a-year salary was part of the reason that the club eventually announced a £90.9m loss for the title-winning season.

In short, Newcastle’s team for the 2016/17 season is the most expensive in Championship history.

That season in the Championship was the last time that Newcastle have been under pressure to perform on a consistent basis, as playing against weaker opposition meant that winning each game was the base objective.

If, or when, this takeover is completed – an expectancy will once again follow the team due to the financial outlay which will accompany it.

Even with a relaxing of FFP, the club’s manager will have between £70-200m to spend this summer in order to challenge for the European places.

For those magical European nights to return to SJP, sensible signings will have to be made; replicating the likes of RB Leipzig, and to a lesser extent, Borussia Dortmund, by acquiring young players who can develop at the club (and either be kept or sold on at a profit).

Clearly, Newcastle’s current squad isn’t able to challenge for Europe – meaning there is a big turnover of players on the horizon.

Joelinton.

In that Championship-winning season Benitez had his highest turnover of incoming players (12) in a season at the club, and with only five or six of them leaving a positive legacy; the club cannot operate at a 50% success rate if they are to push the limits of their financial capabilities and break into the top six.

It looks increasingly likely that a sporting director will be involved in the management set up; and for Benitez, a man who once rejected a contract offer at Liverpool in 2009 because he wanted more control over transfers, this only weakens his credentials for this monumental project.

The bottom line is that his success rate in the transfer market, and that’s not just at Newcastle, isn’t good enough for what the club needs this summer.

Reluctantly, sometimes it’s better to romanticize about the past than to return and tarnish your reputation.

Newcastle United must beware the blight of good fortune

0
Mikey Ashley Out Protest - Newcastle United
All rights reserved by the Daily Mirror

Newcastle Fans, Rejoice! Mike Ashley’s reign of tight purse strings, shifting of club assets and furloughed payments has come to an end.

With the incoming Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) and a mouthwatering fortune of more than £210 billion to their name, the Toon are set to shoot to the top of the Premier League’s richest owners chart.

But, who are these mysterious benefactors I hear you ask?

The fund’s goals are to enhance the reputation of Saudi Arabia in pockets around the world, with the goal of building stronger business and cultural relations. Additionally, much in the current model of many up and coming sides in world football, Newcastle’s likely new owners come in the form of a conglomerate rather than a single investor or owner.

In more traditional form, many English clubs including the likes of Ed Woodward’s Manchester United and Roman Abramovic’s Chelsea have the majority of their stock tucked away in the pocket of a single proprietor. However, FSG’s Liverpool and City Football Group’s Manchester City serve as successful examples of a shift in power and preference. A company, fit with business models and an often deeper pool of funds, oft allude to a greater investment for the future, both metaphorically and figuratively.

So, what does all this mean for Newcastle?

Well, a quick look at the club’s recent history suggests far, far greater expenditures are to come. Until Jose Almiron’s signing from MLS side Atlanta in 2018, Michael Owen was the Magpies’ record signing, with the injury-stricken striker commanding a fee of £16.8 million all the way back in 2005.

This means that, while other clubs were strengthening, Newcastle United didn’t purchase a player for a sum greater than Owen’s for 13 long years – despite the market’s inflation. Interestingly, Ashley’s takeover took place in 2007; making him owner for 11 of those.

You’d think that the JD Sports’ owner’s minimal investment meant that his club suffered greatly. However, Newcastle were only relegated twice during his tenure – in 08/09 and then again in 15/16.

Hires of master money managers and result grinders like Rafael Benitez were key in Newcastle’s low spending survival. Few additions to the quad, selling to buy and a deep-sitting, often defensive style of play, were typically enough to keep the team’s head just above water.

Now, with this proposed investment, Newcastle fans’ patience may just be rewarded. Years of negative football, poor results and accomplishing little may well be forgiven. That is, should the path of the blue half of Manchester’s rags to riches story be followed.

However, therein lies the rub.

The Geordie side can’t get carried away. They must review the errors of other sides who found themselves in a similar position and learn from their mistakes – namely Manchester City and Everton.

City’s continued investments have found themselves a subject of much disapproval.

The millions pumped into the club elevated them from a side languishing in the bottom half of the table, to forming one of the most formidable squads in world football; all in the space of a decade.

Following a UEFA investigation, it seems much of their criticism was warranted. The Citizens now face up to two years suspended from European competition, with the unlikely possibility of retrospective action being taken against their previous seasons. It’s clear  UEFA wanted to make an example in this instance, one that will likely prompt pause in owners’ future decision to put their hands in their pockets.

On the other side of the coin, we have Everton. In contrast to Manchester City, the Toffees haven’t enjoyed masses of success since an injection of funds from their new majority-shareholder, businessman Farhad Moshiri. The side are yet to even break into the limited spots for European football.

Though that’s not for lack of trying.

Due to the incessant demand and pressure on behalf of their fans to ‘catch up’ to neighbours Liverpool in tandem with their stiff competition from the tightly packed mid-section of the Premier League table, it’s widely believed that Everton rushed into many of their signings.

Where some have been deemed a poor fit, others have been ironically pulled up for poor fitness.

Acquisitions piling up into the hundreds of millions are all well and good, so long as that money is spent wisely.

With a definitive plan of action in place partnered by a clear footballing model and prudent spending, there’s no reason why Newcastle can’t enjoy once again enjoy their success of yore.

Their only obstacle – straying from the terraneous routes of others.

They already have an iconic stadium, passionate fans and worldwide renown. The only thing missing until now, is the cash to compete with the big boys.

Let’s see if they can.

Newcastle United: A new dawn

0
Mikey Ashley Out - Newcastle United
All rights reserved by The New Statesman

Mike Ashley is closer than ever before to selling Newcastle United. Should the deal go through it will end thirteen years of a very unhappy marriage.

Lie after lie, poor decision after poor decision. When Ashley’s reign as Newcastle United owner finally comes to an end, it will not be a pretty read.

Thirteen years of toxicity, soul-sucking, two relegations and the crushing a loyal fan base.

Newcastle supporters won’t have to wait much longer to be rid of a man that has destroyed a proud and historic football club. A club that’s on its knees waiting to be released from its handcuffs.

Newcastle United are on the verge of a change in ownership, according to the Shields Gazette, with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Amanda Staveley and the Rueben Brothers all involved.

The potential takeover of Newcastle United is now in the hands of the Premier League. There have been countless takeover stories throughout Ashley’s ownership. The majority of those were to manipulate supporters into renewing their season tickets when threats of a boycott were raised.

Unlocking Newcastle United’s Potential

Those that understand Newcastle as a city, not just the club will know that it has huge potential. With a takeover of this magnitude, Newcastle can be reborn, the sleeping giant can rise.

A closer look at St James’ Park and Newcastle’s training ground shows the years of neglect under Ashley. No real improvements just a lick of paint now and again to cover the huge cracks that constantly reappear.

When you think of Newcastle United, you think of Kevin Keegan – His first and his second coming. You think of the Entertainers, Alan Shearer breaking records, Sir Bobby Robson and those wonderful European nights.

Alan Shearer.

This is a club steeped in history, it is a unique club, a unique place. Geordies work extremely hard to be able to afford to support their side each week. Keegan summed it up perfectly when stating: “When they’ve worked all week, the match for them, it’s a bit like people down south going to the theatre.”

The new owners have to understand the area, without doing so they will fail. Newcastle is similar to Liverpool in the sense it is a working-class city with the main focus of their week being their football club. No matter where you walk in the city, you will see a black and white shirt or you will hear countless conversations of the previous weekend’s match.

Newcastle United is a big club, there’s no doubting that. Even with Newcastle’s fall from grace over the last thirteen years, St James’ Park still attracts 52,000 passionate and loyal Geordies. The new owners must harness the passion, drive and loyalty of the Geordie spirit.

Newcastle supporters love to see their team giving 100% on the pitch every week, that view will never change. A banner once read: “We don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a team that tries.” Thanks to the incredibly hard work of former manager Rafael Benitez – Newcastle have a side that does just that.

You cannot just throw millions and millions at a club without a strategy. That has been a failed formula for years. There has to be a structure put in place that allows the club to grow and to thrive over a period of time.

Instant success is just not possible, especially with the amount of work that the new owners have ahead of them on Tyneside. From investing in the facilities and academy to investing in the first team. Staveley and Co have their work cut out for them but should they get it right it will be worth every penny they’ve invested.

What it means for the North East

North East football has been declining for many years. Sunderland and Middlesbrough have struggled since their respective relegations from the Premier League. For a football-mad region, it has been incredibly sad to see the recent plight of all three clubs.

The takeover of Newcastle will have a positive impact on the region, not just Newcastle. It will put the region in the spotlight. The North East isn’t like London – where there are countless clubs within a close distance. This is a place where football is a religion, the stadium is a church – living and breathing every kick of the football.

The potential new owners of Newcastle are set to invest in the surrounding areas. Similar to what happened when Manchester City changed ownership in 2010. The North East deserves to be in the spotlight because people should be able to see just how special the region is.

The takeover of Newcastle will give hope to Middlesbrough and Sunderland that things can get better. The North East is a hotbed for football, the people of the region deserve more than what has been delivered to them over the last decade or so.

A change in mentality

Once all the papers have been signed and the takeover has been made official, there will be a change in mentality. Newcastle supporters will no longer have to be put in an awful position of debating whether to attend St James’ Park. For too long supporters have been made to feel guilty about attending games, as it meant lining Ashley’s pockets.

Those that left because of Ashley’s ownership will gradually return. There will be a weight lifted from the shoulders of Newcastle supporters. If there was a club that deserved this kind of takeover it would be Newcastle United.

Newcastle United will be a powerhouse. With the finances involved in this deal, the sky really is the limit. The club will finally have something called ambition, something it has been starved of for over a decade. Those from the outside looking in have no idea just how badly the club has been run over the last thirteen years.

Little to no investment, crumbling facilities and a fanbase left firmly in the dark. This will be a welcome change for Newcastle supporters. A change they deserve because of what they have had to suffer through for thirteen long years.

These are exciting times for Newcastle United. Until a deal has been made official, those dark thoughts still remain in the back of the mind. Ashley could yet pull the plug on this but that would not surprise a single soul on Tyneside.

Newcastle United takeover – What’s next?

0
Newcastle United
All rights reserved by De Telegraaf

Newcastle United FC, a club that has always been known for its ‘Die-Hard’ passionate, Geordie supporters.

Most fans in England look forward to the weekend of football to watch their teams compete, but in the North East, it’s what their fans live for. However, Newcastle’s passion and drive haven’t always been there on the football pitch, or at board level for that matter.

Mike Ashley is the current owner of the club. Mike originally brought a 43% stake in the club back in May 2007, later going on to acquire the rest of the club for a combined cost of £189m.

It didn’t take the fans long to turn against him though, which wasn’t helped by Mike’s lack of funding for players and the controversial decision to change the name of their beloved ground to ‘Sports Direct Arena’, coincidentally named after the budget sports chain Sports Direct that he founded way back in 1982.

Sports Direct.

The latest move rebelled against by supporters is the decision to place all non-playing staff on to the government’s Furlough Scheme.

Throughout recent years there have been rumours of a takeover pretty much every season, eventually always fading away. Fans have become accustomed to getting their hopes up just for it to fall through.

However, if recent developments are as advanced as they’re reported to be, there could just be a breakthrough surrounding the ownership of the North East outfit. Mohammad Bin Salman, part of a Saudi Arabian consortium group, is on the verge of completing a £300m takeover of Newcastle United.

Mohammad Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, is believed to have a net worth of £660bn, music to the ears of those supporting the black and white army.

Here we discover three priorities that should be on the mind of the Prince and his board should they complete this takeover.

Getting the fans back on side

In what could prove their most challenging action, getting the fans to buy into their philosophy must be central to the plans of the new owners.

Newcastle United.

They’ve been fed lies, broken promises, and at times felt embarrassed at the way their club has been run compared to other Premier League teams.

The fans will be demanding honesty, passion, and when the Transfer Window comes along to put their money where their mouth is.

Improving the squad

After a surprisingly active summer transfer window in 2019, the club’s rare expenditure on players hasn’t quite worked out how they were hoping. With the acquisitions of Joelinton, Emil Krafth, and Allan Saint-Maximin, only the latter has shown promising signs in their debut season.

With great funding behind the club, fans believe that with the history and reputation they hold, they will be able to attract bigger talents than they ever have before.

Nonetheless, the owners must be careful not to just splash the cash carefree and instead invest in a profound recruitment team to target the right talents. A harsh lesson has been learnt with current record signing Joelinton. For a fee of £39.6m, he has provided a pitiful three goal contributions to the team this season.

Joelinton.

Managerial situation

The managerial situation at the club could prove one of the most interesting for the fans.

Steve Bruce took over the reigns from popular figure Rafael Benitez last summer, with his time at the club so far not providing much excitement around the club.

Good old social media has got us all talking about future replacements for Bruce should the new owners come in, with odds being slashed on the board making an instant move for Massimiliano Allegri.

What the Saudi Arabian group will have to consider, is Steve Bruce appealing enough to prise the bigger players into working with the club? Could there be a shock approach to former manager Rafael Benitez with a huge budget promised?

Don’t get me wrong, Newcastle fans won’t be getting carried away until they see the press conference of the new owners. If they do, these points will be certain to come into play when they judge their new owners’ priorities.