A bold and exciting interview with Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson has been released today.

Speaking to the local media, the newly appointed Canadian has discussed Newcastle’s huge plans, both on and off the pitch, as well as the owners’ commitment to the club.

In quotes picked up via Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Hopkinson revealed that his mission is for Newcastle to be recognised as one of the ‘top clubs in the world’ by 2030, believing ‘clarity and conviction’ in our strategic plans moving forward can see us sky rocket quicker than many expect.

Hopkinson also talked up PIF’s commitment, his regular contact with our Saudi-based owners and even claimed that Newcastle United is their “favourite investment”, insisting the major global player have developed a deep connection with the club.

The former Real Madrid chief also confirmed his plan to bring in a chief strategy offer very soon, with the recruitment of world-class talent a key focus with candidates eager to join the ‘rocket ship’ before the club really takes off.

Read all of the key quotes below on PIF, our 2030 plans and strategic ambition to reach the very top

Hopkinson on PIF

“You’re talking about a fund where, the last time I looked, it had £1.2bn of investments. This is a major, major global player.

“But I truly believe in my heart of hearts that we are their favourite investment. I think we take up so much of their shared mind and heart, way more than would be warranted given the size of the investment.

“I feel like we’re a special investment to them. I feel that, not because they tell me that, but because they show me that. I’m talking to the PIF every single day.

“The question about PIF is a good one – it was one of my questions during the recruitment. There’s always different types of ownership – some are deeply connected, at every single match, every single day, others are much more hands off and just see it as an investment. This group at the PIF is very much in the former camp. It’s every single day.”

Hopkinson on 2030 action plan

“By 2030, I see this club being in the debate about being the top club in the world. That’s where I see us by 2030 – and that kind of progress doesn’t take as long as you might think. What it takes is clarity of conviction.

“We need to be totally aligned about the fact that that’s what we want to do. We have to have the courage to ignore those that doubt us, and even those that laugh at us. Because there will be some. I’ve been through this journey before.

“I’ve done it with a total underperformer, and that’s definitely not what Newcastle is. Newcastle is already good. I’ve worked at a club that was really bad, lost all the time. In 2014, we lost just about as bad as you can. In 2019, we were having a parade. So, it’s eminently doable, but it takes that clarity, conviction and commitment.”

Huge claims, but Hopkinson explained how the club plans to make this ambitious goal a reality over the next four years:

“I love the reference to 2030 because if it’s not time-bound, then it’s fantasy. It’s where do we need to get to by the end of 2025? Where by 2026? 2027? Where are we ahead, where are we behind? What’s our mitigation plan? How are we adjusting things?

“What I will not tell you is that we have written the plan for every granular element that’s going to happen between now and 2030. But what we have got is a highly specific direction of travel and key milestones that need to be hit.

“We’re not going to win by accident. We’re going to win because we’ve been thoughtful and strategic about the organisation we’ve constructed, whose sole purpose is to win.”

Hopkinson on CSO search

“We have some gaps. Very shortly, we’ll be in the marketplace looking for a chief strategy officer. We’ll be looking for a chief marketing officer. With Pete’s (Silverstone, former chief commercial officer) departure, we’re going to take the opportunity to think about whether we should have someone focusing exclusively on revenue.

“I want to make sure that we’re recruiting world-class talent. I had two conversations yesterday with folks that are saying, ‘Look, I see where this is going, I want to be part of it, it’s a rocket ship, I see that, and I want to get on that rocket ship’.

“We’re going to be very thoughtful and disciplined about some areas where we’re not world-class today. I’ll just use one example. Our digital ecosystem today is not world-class. We’re not going to achieve our ultimate ambition without world-class digital and data capabilities.”

Bold claims, and not the first time we’ve seen strong statements made since Saudi owners arrived in 2021, but with a new CEO in place with top-level experience from his time at Real Madrid, it feels like a high-class team are in place.

Mix that with PIF’s investment and commitment, and we will hopefully see this ‘rocket ship’ take off in 2026 and beyond, with the next four years having the potential to be massive if Hopkinson’s ‘2030’ vision comes off.