Newcastle United faced a challenging beginning to the season, losing three out of their first four Premier League matches. However, sporting director Dan Ashworth emphasized the club’s commitment to their medium to long-term goals despite the difficult start.
Newcastle’s opening fixtures were among the toughest in the league, pitting them against four of the previous season’s top seven teams, including Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. The Magpies managed to secure three points from these matches, marking the first time they had suffered three consecutive top-flight losses in nearly 18 months.
Despite this challenging period, Newcastle remained composed at all levels of the organization. Under the leadership of Eddie Howe, the team made a remarkable recovery.
They went unbeaten in seven consecutive games across all competitions and achieved significant victories against PSG and Manchester City. Furthermore, they set a Premier League record with an 8-0 win against Sheffield United and earned a valuable point in their first Champions League match in over two decades, playing against AC Milan.
In a Q&A session with the University Campus of Football Business, Ashworth stressed the importance of not overreacting to short-term results or luck, particularly in the highly competitive Premier League. He acknowledged that their initial set of fixtures was exceptionally tough and highlighted the need to maintain focus on medium to long-term objectives. Every team experiences challenging periods, and it is essential for sporting directors, boards, ownership, and supporters to remain patient and stay committed to their vision and expectations.