While Newcastle United will never struggle to find new generations of fans to line the stands of St. James’ Park, the club had seen better days by the end of the last decade. Once an elite staple of the Premier League, the Magpies had spent much of the twenty-first century circling the relegation zone. They faced relegation for the first time in years in 2009. After clawing back their rightful place in the top flight of English football, a second relegation in 2016 seemed as though it’d clipped the Magpie’s wings for good. However, eager investors from the Middle East Saudi looked set to change Newcastle United’s fortunes for good.
Newcastle United Welcome New Owners
Despite the deal being closed by the end of 2021, the Saudi-led buyout of Newcastle United continues to be a point of contention for Premiership fans and pundits alike. Even before the takeover proceedings kicked off in April 2020, the deal proved to be incredibly controversial, with news of attempted blocks by fellow Premier League teams and outside influence from Qatari attempting to derail the agreement. Many also singled out Saudi Arabia’s notorious human rights record and how any accepted takeover would amount to nothing but sports washing.
However, not every voice in the crowd was calling out against the deal. Many Magpies fans were in favour of the buying power that a Saudi deal could bring, not to mention the economic boost it promoted to bring to wider Tyneside. Generally speaking, the man on the street seemed happy enough with the increasingly likely prospect of Saudi ownership at St. James’ Park.
Sadly, the same couldn’t be said of Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals. It’s not hard to see why so many clubs took issue with the deal. The Saudi-led takeover, worth a reported £300 million, would give Newcastle United considerable spending power. The kickback against the takeover was so fierce, with much of the blame thrown in the direction of Premier League chairman, Gary Hoffman. Mere weeks after the takeover was complete, Hoffman resigned from his role.
Later, the UK government’s role in the takeover bid came under scrutiny. Many senior government officials were found to be involved greasing the wheels to nurture UK-Saudi relations. One report found that the Saudi consortium spearheading the bid had promised further investments of more than £30 billion into the UK economy.
2021-2022: First Season Under Saudi Ownership
Eddie Howe’s appointment as manager marked an era of change at Newcastle United. The club secured their first win under Howe’s watch with a 1-0 victory over Burnley. The first of several transfer shuffles also seemed to do the trick, with the Magpies chalking up the first of a staggering nine-win streak. This would give Newcastle a significant leg-up in the League table, bringing them comfortably clear of the relegation zone.
2022-2023: Second Season Success
The following season, Saudi’s investment could really be felt at St. James’ Park. Despite only finishing in 11th place the previous season, Newcastle finished 2023 in fourth position, falling behind only Manchester United, Arsenal, and eventual winners, Manchester City. They even pushed heavyweights Liverpool into fifth place.
This historic season was played simultaneously with FA Cup and EFL Cup campaigns. They progressed to the third round of the FA Cup, and emerged as EFL Cup runners-up. Their EFL run was particularly impressive, with Newcastle amassing a stunning 71.4% win rate.
The Saudi’s investment strategy is far from a bad idea. As the great players do in the best casino games, they are not spending money for the sake of it, they are following a plan. Alongside its own coach and their scouting team, the team is signing players that fit in the system. Moreover, their signings are young players, with a long career ahead, and thirsty for titles. With this strategy, the Magpies can have a great future under the new ownership, as the 2022-2023 season proved.
Can Newcastle Their Upward Trajectory?
Newcastle face a less certain 2023-24 season, with the team currently hovering just within the top ten. However, they’ve made some impressive new signings recently, not to mention standout wins against Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. With their ranks bolstered by new talent and untempered enthusiasm for their new Saudi owners, Newcastle is almost certain to remain clear of the relegation zone for a few years yet.
