Mark Douglas’ latest piece for iNews is a fascinating read, explaining why the Saudi Public Investment Fund are chucking huge money at LIV Golf but taking a much more measured approach at St James’ Park.
Speaking to the former editor at The Chronicle, a source close to Newcastle United has highlighted financial fair play as the “biggest reason” – insisting the days of doing a ‘Man City’ or a ‘Chelsea’ are “gone.”
However, the source also states that so many have misunderstood the PIF’s business plan on Tyneside, saying they are process driven and intent on laying down the foundations for future success – feeling a “£300m” splurge on a host of big names would not guarantee success if the basics weren’t in place.
In short, it seems we want to build from the ground up and develop sustainably, especially when financial fair play restrictions don’t allow silly sums of money to be spent on a window by window basis.
He insists there’s no “quick fix”, but stresses that investment will be consistent and thorough in a bid to turn Newcastle United into a “major force.”
Here’s what the unnamed source at Newcastle United told the i’s Mark Douglas:
“The biggest reason is financial fair play. The way that Manchester City and Chelsea’s owners spent money on players is not available to us.
“Even if we wanted to, those days are gone. Even Chelsea can’t do it again.
“Everyone misunderstands PIF. It’s an investment fund that is driven by process. They analyse everything.
“The clue is in the investment bit – they have spent and will continue to spend on Newcastle, but it has to be on the right things that will grow the club.
“The idea that they have all these funds and are going to use them to sign Lionel Messi just isn’t right.
“They’re smart enough to know there aren’t any quick fixes at Newcastle. You could throw £300m at the club but if the foundations aren’t in place, there’s no guarantee of success.
“It was never going to be a quick fix for that. It will take time.
“The intention hasn’t changed one bit. They are there to turn Newcastle into a major force, but it won’t happen overnight.”
Being “process” driven doesn’t actually guarantee anything. It’s just a fashionable business term used by companies to make them sound all “professional”.
Every investment company is process driven these days.
Processes can range from complex algorithms analysing every aspect of the player’s game against the club’s requirements down to a simple “is he a forward, can he score and can we afford him”.
I have no doubt that Sports Direct were totally process driven – just a different kind of process.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)