Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Pundit claims Newcastle owners ‘won’t understand’ size of job in chilling warning

Paul Merson, football pundit

Paul Merson has claimed that Newcastle’s owners must be willing to invest in the club for the long-term – more than five years – if they want success.

The Magpies are on the verge of ushering in the new era at the club in Sunday’s clash against Tottenham. Still, much of the focus for now has been on potential transfers into St James’ Park.

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot are among supposed targets.

There is also the task of finding a new manager to replace Steve Bruce. While he looks likely to take charge of the Premier League clash against Spurs, his days look numbered.

The international break has allowed Newcastle’s takeover to dominate the agenda. According to Paul Merson, though, Newcastle’s owners need to understand the size of the job.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he issued a reality check of the job at hand for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and their partners.

“I think people are getting carried away. People are thinking: ‘This is a Jack Walker situation at Blackburn.’ Absolutely no chance,” the pundit said.

“I don’t want to be a party-pooper, but one: Everyone has money now, and two: Newcastle need 17 players!

Newcastle are in 'direct communication' with Chelsea for Timo Werner

Newcastle are in 'direct communication' with Chelsea for Timo Werner

Reports suggest that Newcastle are in direct communication with Chelsea for Germany forward Timo Werner, with more updates on Philippe Coutinho and Anthony Martial.

“It’s not like they have a good core of a team already which they can top up with a couple of world-class players. They need everything.

You can’t just go out and buy the world, and even if you could and bought five £150m players, that won’t win you everything. You have to go and buy a team.”

While Barcelona’s Philippe Countinho is another player to have had transfer links with Newcastle, Merson thinks Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard are more realistic targets for now.

The England midfield pair have faced struggles of late at Tottenham and Manchester United, respectively.

But Merson added: “I’m not sure if the owners understand that this won’t be an overnight success. This isn’t Football Manager the game. That isn’t happening.”

Newcastle owners must understand job

Yasir-Al-Rumayyan Newcastle chairman

Newcastle currently sit 19th in the Premier League table and are without a win from seven games this season.

As such, the first priority will be ensuring survival and a foundation on which to build next term.

“I don’t want to be a party pooper, but this isn’t a five-year job,” Merson said.


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“If you asked me to choose between them winning the league at some point or never winning the league, I’d go with never.

“The owners won’t just put money in forever, it doesn’t matter how much you’ve got. They’ll want to see success fast, and I don’t think they’ll understand what it takes to get to the top. They are 17 players short.”

As well as Spurs, Newcastle face Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brighton before the November international break.

READ MORE: Newcastle owners ‘clash’ over one name on five-man managerial shortlist