According to The Chronicle, Mike Ashley has now accepted that his 13-year stint at St James’ Park will ‘soon be over’ – despite staying tight lipped over talk of a £300m Saudi takeover.
Lee Ryder’s latest piece also states that the Newcastle United owner has offered zero assurances to any staff members at the club, leaving both them and Steve Bruce completely in the dark.
That said, the report does reveal that ‘sources at the club’ claim staff are ‘braced for change’ – suggesting they, like us, now have genuine reason to believe a Saudi takeover is imminent – but the fact they’ve been left out of the loop and fearing for their futures sums up Mike Ashely’s woeful lack of communication.
Here’s a snippet from Ryder’s latest piece for The Chronicle:
‘Mike Ashley is understood to be resigned to the fact that his 13-year tenure at Newcastle United will soon be over.
‘Ashley has not commented publicly on the situation at St James’ Park and has not offered any reassurances to United staff on the future either.
After furloughing most of his work-force at the start of the Covid-19 crisis, the remaining staff members have been left in the dark on what happens next.
Although, sources at the club say staff are braced for change.
The fact Mike Ashley hasn’t come out and commented on the takeover is acceptable given NDA’s are in place, but the way he’s furloughed staff, continued to take season ticket payments (all while there’s no sign of football returning to SJP anytime soon) and left the likes of Steve Bruce in the dark just sums up his careless and impersonal approach to ownership.
Thankfully, however, news that he’s now resigned to a Saudi takeover appears to be yet another sign that we’ll be free of Mike Ashley and seeing ambitious new owners take his place any day now.
I’d say it’s been a pleasure Mike, but it’s been anything but. Good riddance.
The sad thing about the whole Ashley Saga is woeful reporting by the Chronicle writers I say that writers! with a pinch of salt.
We are now facing a barrage of self-acclaimed exclusive rubbish from Ryder and Co. Believe me, Gents your reporting borders on Ashley instructions with no bite against the past 13 years of misery and pain.
Weak and seriously inept reporting, no backbone skirted around the whole affair for 13 years look in the mirror. (and jack) Chronicle senior management get some decent staff on board might sell a few more papers
trevor arkle(Quote)
Well I am looking forward to the new owners and hope they build the club with new English players and not do what man city done. Brought load good players but now most of man city players are out of date. Nufc get the right manager and right players and come on nufc.
Robbie putland(Quote)