Newcastle United’s leader, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, has kept his promises since acquiring the club. When the long-awaited Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United was finally confirmed after a grueling 14-month ordeal filled with uncertainty and frustration, the joy that erupted in the heart of Tyneside was undeniable.
In many ways, the sale of the club, which marked the departure of Mike Ashley after a troubled chapter in the club’s storied history, was more of a relief than anything else. The fans weren’t just rejoicing at the arrival of new owners; they were ecstatic about the departure of the man who had presided over the club’s two relegations.
However, takeovers in football don’t always unfold as planned and can sometimes lead to disappointment. Newcastle supporters had experienced this in 2007 when the “ambitious” Ashley, the sports retail magnate with grand ambitions, arrived and even shared a drink with fans on the Bigg Market. Within a year or so, it became clear that his tenure at St James’ Park was not going according to plan. The bitter Kevin Keegan affair, the presence of Dennis Wise, Andy Carroll’s departure, two relegations, and two spells of Joe Kinnear were just the beginning of the problems under Ashley’s ownership. Other clubs like Portsmouth, Sunderland, Everton, and Leeds had also suffered at the hands of owners who couldn’t deliver success for their supporters.
Fast forward to October 7, 2021, and it was evident that positive changes were taking place at St James’ Park. While the takeover had not yet been officially confirmed, the media gates were opened to the press. Chronicle Live was even granted an audience with Amanda Staveley and board members at Jesmond Dene House before she officially took control. Within a day, the publication received an open letter from Yasir Al-Rumayyan, in which he told supporters to “Expect ambition.”
This promise has been backed by tangible actions, including the appointment of one of English football’s brightest managers, Eddie Howe, and significant spending, with approximately £400 million already invested and more to come. The club discarded its old transfer policies and secured signings like Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon.
Impressively, Eddie Howe and his coaching team managed to integrate these high-profile signings with existing talent such as Sean Longstaff, Fabian Schar, and Miguel Almiron. On the pitch, Howe delivered by keeping Newcastle in the Premier League in 2022 and transforming the club from relegation candidates to an 11th-place finish.
In the following season, Newcastle secured a coveted Champions League spot and reached the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, marking their first major final appearance since 1999. The current season has also seen significant highlights, including a resounding victory over Paris St-Germain, an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, and an unexpected win against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, a match many had written off.
Newcastle United’s leader, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, has been clear about his vision for the club, stating this year, “I think we should have an ambition and aspiration to be number one.”
With Eddie Howe’s team on a six-game unbeaten run and even an injury-plagued Newcastle side making waves in the Champions League, it’s evident that two years into his ownership, success on the field is not a false dawn. The celebrations outside St James’ Park on that day were a genuine reflection of the positive changes taking place at the club.
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