Three Major Decisions The New Owners Should Take If They Buy Newcastle
With talk of an imminent takeover at Newcastle United rife since the formal announcement of the holding company currently holding the purse strings at SJP to sell the club, any potential bidders should be aware of what’s important to the Newcastle fans.
Some team managers, such as Alan Pardew for example, never truly understood the Geordie people and didn’t really make many attempts to either.
The current owner, Mike Ashley too, is another, whose personality traits are so far removed from the Geordie persona that he could never be at one with the Toon support.
Never has a club’s colours been so apt. Newcastle truly is black and white, no grey area at all. Those who try and show passion, such as Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Gary Speed, Nolberto Solano and many more were lauded as kings of the sport and of the area. Those who do not show such passion will be treated publicly with the contempt they deserve.
Playing, managing or directing at Newcastle United is NOT simply a job. As is the case at Rangers when those of a different persuasion in football tried to claim RFC is a new club are forgetting the key thing; that a football club is indeed a ‘club’, not a business. You may change stadiums, change the kit or even the holding company owning the business but the club is about its support and that does not change.
3 key things any new owners should keep in mind are:
Nail Down Benitez, Immediately
Benitez has seen the obvious similarities between Liverpool and Newcastle both in terms of the city and the club. Despite this, the gap in success on the pitch in unbelievable and Rafa knows that exciting times could be on the horizon in the Toon.
Having Benitez in the dugout is akin to signing Messi or Ronaldo and the supporters know this. So losing him now for any reason would be a body blow and would put the new owners on the back foot immediately. A new contract with whatever the Spaniard needs pencilled in is essential.
Appoint Directors In The Know
Who these will be, I honestly don’t know. But, as mentioned above, it is crucial at Newcastle that there should be some Geordie influence throughout the running of the club to ensure that the hierarchy are not drifting away from the support.
Former directors, managers and players will be available in abundance to help out. So a selection process should be put in place to ensure Newcastle is not just another foreign-owned club with big bucks and no soul, like Chelsea and Manchester City.
Extend St. James’ Park
Ashley talked numerous times about building on top of the Gallowgate End but instead ended up selling off valuable land around SJP. Had England won their World Cup bid for 2018 and had Newcastle been chosen as the north east venue as expected, this would have been completed.
With a 60,000+ capacity, SJP would not always sell out against certain opposition or in cup games. However, having those seats available for big games is crucial as well as to sell the venue for European finals and the likes.