Saudi PIF have got away with one at Newcastle United
“Transformative” is a certainly a new buzzword of the modern game. It’s the type of window all clubs appear to strive for, and one Newcastle fans have been promised since the takeover.
As we all know, the transfer window is never allowed to simply close, it must “slam shut”. As it did so at 7pm last Monday (unless you complete certain aspects and then you’re allowed a few extra hours), it is becoming very apparent that the summer was indeed transformative. Time will tell if it’s in a positive way.
The old adage of two things can be true in a debate feels very relevant to all things Newcastle United at the moment. We do have a stronger squad than we started the summer with, we have made some potentially superb signings, and the owners did brilliantly to finish the window strongly after a difficult summer. There is also the reputational damage after several ‘rejections’ from big name targets, and of course losing one of the world’s best strikers to a club we aspire to emulate.
The Isak saga has left us all emotionally bruised, but sometimes bruised egos can produce the best results, and if PIF have any self respect, they should learn from it. Despite all the postering and adamancy the they wouldn’t sell, they effectively played chicken with a juggernaut, and got crushed.
Naivety and arrogance however, are easier obstacles to overcome than incompetence. Looking at some of the decisions and situations since the spring of 2024, it’s hard to know which have been at play.
In addition to the ongoing impasse on new training ground and stadium developments, and a lack of sponsorship deals to maximise income, the last 15/16 months off the pitch doesn’t make for good reading.
Staveley and Ghodoussi leaving seemingly brought all communication to a temporary standstill, which has seen a return the Mike Ashley days of the manager being the face and voice of the club on all matters. Then came the disastrous appointment of Paul Mitchell, a summer long and ultimately unsuccessful public pursuit of Guehi, no signings, selling Anderson and Minteh. And then, after the most successful season in years thanks to our elite coach and brilliant squad, entering such a crucial window with a huge vacuum of leadership above Eddie Howe has felt amateurish and negligent at best.
It’s frankly a minor miracle, that as a result of that list of failure and mistakes, the club hasn’t slipped back into mid-table obscurity.
Yet, here we are, somehow, still in remarkably fine fettle. About to embark on another CL campaign with a squad and manager capable of delivering another top five finish, and with plenty of another new buzz phrase, “PSR headroom.”
In truth, PIF have massively got away with one, kept firmly on the realistic cusp of taking the next step to being an elite club by a brilliant manager and squad. It is a lifeline and an opportunity that they simply can’t afford to waste.
This week has seen a step in the right direction with the appointment of a seemingly elite CEO in David Hopkinson, whilst Nottingham Forest’s highly rated DOF Ross Wilson is expected to be announced very soon. New contracts for Botman, Livramento and Tonali have been briefed, but actions speak louder than words. Securing these players, as well as being ready to take a running jump at January is non-negotiable.
There appear to be some big changes coming to PSR, which would explain the seismic squad overhauls those clubs currently benefiting have done this summer.
The economic growth will be the biggest challenge in the corrupt world of PSR, but more dynamism when it comes to negotiating transfers is sorely needed, as is “creative accounting”.
What has been truly remarkable, has been the change in narrative from certain journalists and outlets. After spending the best part of nearly four years telling the world that our owners embody everything wrong with the modern game, they are now criticizing PIF for being too safe, too compliant, not pushing the envelope, and effectively being encouraged to financially dope. If they were to do so, we can all predict the outrage.
A fascinating season is upon us on and off the pitch, one that will probably determine the next few years. Who knows, it may just be transformative.
HTL.
