Former Newcastle United chief Amanda Staveley 'accepts' major PIF-linked role after Spurs and Liverpool links
Former Newcastle United chief Amanda Staveley is set to be involved in the Saudi World Cup in 2034.
Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley has accepted a new role as an 'advisor' to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for the 2034 World Cup.
Staveley was the catalyst for change at St James’ Park, as she was brought to the football club by Owen Brown, advisor to then manager Rafa Benitez, along with fellow PCP Capital Partners director, and husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
From there, the couple fell in love with the Magpies, and pushed to find investment to buy out then owner Mike Ashley. Using her contacts in the Middle East, financier Staveley got a seat at the table of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia boardroom, and the rest, they say, is history.
After three years at the helm, Staveley and Ghodoussi, loved by fans, left the club.
Since then, the pair have been linked with a takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur, and Ghodoussi has been a regular attendee at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge this campaign.
It was reported by City AM that Staveley’s close relationship with PIF resulted in her being consulted over the new role. And NewcastleWorld understands Staveley has accepted the offer of the role with SAFF.
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All eyes on 2034
SAFF are said to want to use her experience and contacts at clubs across Europe and use her as a ‘sounding board’ as world football prepares for a second Winter World Cup in the Middle East.
The World Cup in 2022 was held in Qatar and deemed by many to be a major success, despite the disruption to leagues across the globe.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s bid for the World Cup was unopposed and subsequently approved by FIFA last month.
Newcastle exit
Amanda Staveley left Newcastle United last summer after nearly three years in charge - but it’s fair to say she’s not forgotten the club, nor have the supporters forgotten her.
Along with Ghodoussi, Staveley was a popular face and figurehead of the Saudi majority takeover of the football club, which was completed in October 2021.
Staveley was a director at St James’ Park until she departed in a hierarchy rejig this summer, which also saw her company, PCP Capital Partners, sell its near 6% remaining stake in Newcastle.