Former Premier League club chairman calls out Amanda Staveley over Newcastle United ambition

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has criticised ‘unhelpful’ Amanda Staveley following Newcastle United’s difficult start to the new Premier League season.

After getting off to a flyer with a 5-1 victory over Aston Villa at St James’ Park, the Magpies have lost their last three games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion.

When asked about Newcastle’s early struggles, Jordan couldn’t help but dig up what Staveley said in the aftermath of the club’s Carabao Cup final defeat at Wembley in February.

“Everyone has taken us on this journey,” said the Magpies’ co-owner. “We will the Carabao Cup. We will the FA Cup. We will win Champions League. We will win the Premier League.

“This is all about the amazing fans that have taken us on this journey. We are honoured and humbled and feel very privileged to help run Newcastle United.”

Jordan believes those comments have put unnecessary pressure on Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe.

“Eddie Howe has had a difficult start to the season” the 55-year-old wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“Newcastle were always going to struggle to maintain the standards that secured a top-four finish - and, unfortunately for Howe, he is going to be judged by those standards.

“It certainly underlines how unhelpful it was of Amanda Staveley to be flapping her gums after last season’s League Cup final, telling anyone who’d listen how they were going to win the Champions League.”

Staveley’s comments didn’t seem to bother Howe when they were put to him a week later.

“I love Amanda’s positivity, I love her outlook.” said Howe. “I’ve got no issue with it, with the statements. All I’d say is, from my perspective, there’s no time limit on that, because if we set targets that are maybe too short-term, that can have a negative effect, and it can build external pressure that the players don’t need.

“I want the players to play free, and not really think too much about the consequences. In order to do that, it’s my job to try to take the pressure off them, so that’s what I’ll try to do.”