First Newcastle move will see new owners inflict ‘major loss’ on Man City
Newcastle United could launch an immediate raid on Manchester City and inflict a ‘major loss’ on the reigning champions if their proposed takeover gets the green light, per a report.
The last 24 hours have provided Newcastle United fans with genuine hope Mike Ashley’s reign atop the club may be coming to an end. Widespread reports have speculated a Saudi-Arabia-backed takeover could be completed over the coming days.
A St James’ Park takeover has been a constant talking point over the past 18 months after the consortium, led by Amanda Staveley, previously backed out of a deal due to delays by the Premier League.
The main issue centred around a row over television piracy in the Middle East. However, Saudi Arabia recently indicated it would lift its ban on Qatar-based broadcaster beIN SPORTS.
beIN are the region’s primary Premier League broadcaster. Though the ban had ensured they had been blacked out in Saudi Arabia over the previous four-and-a-half years.
With that obstacle now seemingly removed, the path to progress appears clear. And per the Telegraph, Newcastle’s new owners could raid Manchester City for Academy Director, Jason Wilcox.
The former England international, 50, has held the position at the Etihad since 2017. But the Telegraph state Wilcox is ‘among those considered suitable’ for the newly-created Sporting Director role at Newcastle.
If appointed, he would head their ‘drive to create one of the ‘most successful development programmes in world football’.
The article claims he would be a ‘major loss’ to Pep Guardiola’s club.
Assessing who will be the next Premier League manager to get the sack
Bruce already knows Newcastle fate
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce reportedly already knows his fate, if the club is finally taken over by the Saudi Arabian-backed £300million offer.
Bruce now faces an anxious wait as talks develop, although the Daily Mirror states he is already aware of his fate.
The 60-year-old has been in charge on Tyneside since 2019. However, the former Sunderland boss has never really been accepted by the Geordie faithful. But the Newcastle fans’ main gripe is with current owner Mike Ashley.
Ashley took over the club in 2007 and has seemingly been wanting to sell ever since. Despite that, he has remained at the helm for 14 years – overseeing two relegations in that time.
Ashley’s persistence is expected to finally pay off when he receives the kind of figure he wanted for a sale. But that will also signal the end for Bruce.
The report adds that Bruce did not expect to return after the first Covid-19 lockdown, when the initial deal was being drawn up.