Toon CEO David Hopkinson has been live on talkSPORT this morning to discuss all things Newcastle United.
In a fascinating interview from St James’ Park, the former Real Madrid executive has been discussing his decision to leave New York for Newcastle, the experience he can bring and a number of key topics currently surrounding the club.
Hopkinson offered an insight into a busy January behind the scenes, discussed our stadium plans, Eddie Howe, Sandro Tonali, the huge ambition from PIF and his challenge to build revenue under new financial rules coming into play this July.
Watch the full 22-minute chat from St James’ Park below, seeing Hopkinson speak openly and positively alongside Jim White, Alex Crook and Gabby Agbonlahor:
Discussing the January window, Hopkinson explained why a new signing did not arrive, insisting we were in a position to recruit with the backing of PIF had the right player become available:
“Let me tell you, this was an extraordinary transfer window in terms of activity.
“We have an amazing sporting director in Ross Wilson. Let me tell you…he’s been my first call in the morning and last call at night every day this month.
“The activity has been incredibly high. We didn’t find the right opportunity for an acquisition but we had the room to do so and the support to do so (from PIF) if we found the right addition that would’ve made sense.
“But what made sense for us had a lot of facets to do, including doing something that would not compromise what we want to do this summer.”
Discussing PIF’s ambition, he doubled down on our plans to be competing regularly for the ‘top prizes in global football’ by 2030, talking up his role to increase the spending power available to Eddie Howe, despite financial restrictions:
“The No.1 thing I talk to the ownership about is ambition. That’s the magic word here, having the correct ambition.
“We have total alignment on that. This is a club that, by 2030, will be consistently contending for the top prizes in global football.
“We have a lot of wood to chop between here and there. When I see Newcastle United, everywhere I look, I see opportunity.”
“It’s my job to help the club unlock that and deliver that. My job is to get a bigger bag (of money). And invest that with Ross (Wilson) appropriately to give Eddie Howe more chance of success on the pitch.”
