Newcastle United blasted for ‘a lack of professionalism’ by former flop

Former Newcastle United midfielder Henri Saivet has once again hit out at the Magpies after enduring an underwhelming spell on Tyneside.

The Senegal international moved to St James Park from Bordeaux in a £5.4million deal in January 2016 made just four appearances as the Magpies fought an unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Premier League.

After securing a loan move to Saint-Etienne, Saivet played no part in United’s promotion-winning campaign under Rafa Benitez but did return to the club in time to score on his only appearance of the 2017/18 season.

Further temporary moves away from Newcastle took Saivet to Turkish clubs Sivasspor and Bursaspor before his United career came to an end when he was released in June 2021.

Reflecting on his time in the Premier League, Saivet blasted the Magpies for ‘a lack of professionalism’ and felt the club showed no respect for his international ambitions with Senegal.

He told So Foot: “Things happened that I didn’t control. They blocked me so I couldn’t leave.

“Newcastle were asking for indecent future sale percentages. They refused a lot of offers even though I wasn’t playing. Even for my loans, I had to force an exit. Even today, it annoys me because I don’t have an answer.

“I never understood why I wasn’t integrated in the club’s project when there were other players on the pitch who, honestly, weren’t better than me.

“They don’t respect the AFCON, it’s that simple. When I returned to Newcastle after the lost final against Algeria, they admitted they didn’t even follow my performances, even though I had two years left on my contract. It’s quite simply a lack of professionalism.”

Saivet has gone on to resurrect his career back in France with Pau after joining the Ligue 2 club during the summer.

The midfielder has four goals in nine appearances so far this season - but he revealed his was close to bringing an end to his career during the latter months of his time on Tyneside.

“It’s true that during those moments, even if the love for football makes you hold on, you ask yourself questions.

“I asked myself if I’d become rubbish. Despite everything I’d done, nothing good was happening. During 3-4 days, I even thought about stopping my career.”