Amateur hour - Time for serious questions as Newcastle United reap what they sow
This is not acceptable - Newcastle United must address their fanatical support and them exactly what is going on.
Visions of Kevin Keegan, perched on St James’ Park’s frost-covered steps, arms stretched out, donning a roll-neck sweatshirt while rowdily explaining Andy Cole’s hasty exit, evoked in Newcastle United supporters’ minds this morning.
For those of a younger persuasion, Andy Carroll, Yohan Cabaye or any of the damaging Mike Ashley sales may hold more relevance. Alexander Isak wants out - and a sickening jolt to the stomach has been felt mutually around Tyneside.
Serious questions need to be asked of the Saudi-backed regime if, as feared, Isak leaves this summer. The reality is setting in that this might not be the lottery-ticket takeover Toon fans hoped for when PIF liberated the club from Ashley.
Transformative tales at Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were the blueprint. And yes, while PSR restrictions have taken Newcastle’s ambition hostage - that should not excuse the myriad of mistakes from the top.
A sporting director fiasco - for the second year in a row - got United’s summer off to a stinker. On the subject of boardroom appointments, how is Darren Eales still in situ almost one year after he announced his departure?
Stumbling from one car crash transfer saga to another, a la Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and James Trafford, has been amateur viewing. There is not a single experienced “deal maker” at St James’ Park - and it shows.
Financial restrictions have gripped the Magpies - that is correct - so what about the commercial deals? The sponsorship train has stalled since Sela and Adidas came to the party. That is despite appointing former Arsenal executive Peter Silverstone to plug that gap.
Talk of a training ground and new stadium has gone quiet - despite fans being promised an update on St James’ Park’s future in “early 2025” by Brad Miller, the club’s Chief Operating Officer. These bold aspirations are what helped attract foreign stars to the fledgling Tyneside project.
Champions League qualification and Carabao Cup success have provided drastic on-field improvement but, in truth, Eddie Howe has been the one steering the ship. Can anyone else be credited for Newcastle’s recent heroics? One only wonders where they would be without him...
Isak has likely assessed the chaos in the early throes of the window before making his decision. After all, the Magpies, with silverware and Champions League football, were sitting healthily once the season finished.
It has since become clear that Newcastle never had their ships in order ahead of the summer window. Howe, the players and, most importantly, the fans, have been let down by those upstairs.
Do not expect the Toon boss to impersonate Keegan and address vexed supporters outside the Milburn Stand. That is not the way of the modern world. But somebody from the club must provide clarity as to what exactly is going on.