According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, more “high level talks” are taking place at Newcastle as the move to bring Dan Ashworth to Tyneside is just the beginning of the changes in the boardroom.
The Lowdown: New era at Newcastle
The Magpies’ new era has finally kicked into gear after a lacklustre start, with Eddie Howe’s side winning three Premier League games on the bounce for the first time since November 2018.
Expectations may be dampened slightly by the news that star January arrival Kieran Trippier could miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, but the Toon are now four points clear of the drop, and the mood is definitely shifting on Tyneside.
And, after five first-team signings arrived in January, it seems there may well be just as much change off the pitch as on it.
The Latest: Ashworth just the beginning
Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder has revealed that negotiations are still ongoing with Ashworth, with the compensation to Brighton proving a sticking point in freeing him from his contract.
According to the report though, Ashworth’s potential arrival ‘isn’t set to be the only change at St James’ Park’, detailing how a recent advert for legal counsel says PIF want the club to be a world class business ‘in all respects’.
Ryder shared the news on his personal Twitter account, calling the latest talks the beginning of an “exciting new chapter”.
Find the latest on Trippier’s injury here…
The Verdict: About time
There is no question this has been coming for a long time, and fans will surely be overjoyed to slowly but surely rid themselves of the nightmares of the past regime.
Previous owner Mike Ashley’s mysterious bonus of £400,000 for then Managing Director Lee Charnley shortly before the takeover last year was just one of many examples of a chaotic and possibly even corrupt leadership.
To hear PIF’s plans to take the club to an elite level not only on the field but also off it, then, is surely music to the ears of a fan base who have suffered through ambiguity and instability for far too long.