How Newcastle United really feel internally about their progress since the PIF takeover

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Everything changed at Newcastle United three years ago.

The Mike Ashley era finally came to an end, and Newcastle United fans began to dream about a brighter future.

On October 7th 2021, Newcastle United were bought for £305million by PIF, Jamie Reuben and Amanda Staveley.

PIF became Newcastle’s majority shareholders, as they set about trying to make the Magpies the biggest club in world football. Newcastle’s Saudi backers are used to being number one, but getting the Magpies to that position would be very difficult.

Since the takeover, Newcastle are yet to be number one. Their trophy drought continues. However, there has been progress. Eddie Howe got Newcastle to a cup final at Wembley, while he also guided his team into last season’s Champions League.

Newcastle United are doing better than they expected since PIF takeover

There has undoubtedly been progress at Newcastle United since the takeover three years ago. So much has changed on Tyneside, and the future is very much bright.

But has there been enough progress for the people in power at St James’ Park?

According to the Athletic, Newcastle United have ‘exceeded their own expectations’ since the change of ownership.

There has been enough progress, as the club continues to grow from the extremely low base it was at when PIF arrived.

They did not buy a club that was ready to be in the Champions League, yet that is where Eddie Howe got Newcastle to after his first full season in charge.

Last season was not as fruitful, but a slight regression was always expected – and that was before Newcastle had the worst injury luck imaginable.

Amanda Staveley’s Newcastle message on takeover day in 2021

But there is an obvious need for more progress. PIF want more – they want to be first, they want to win everything. That goal is not going to change, no matter how difficult it is to get there.

However, it might take a bit longer than Amanda Staveley predicted it would.

On the day of the takeover, Staveley stated that she wanted Newcastle United to become Premier League champions within five to 10 years.

“Our ambition is aligned with the fans – to create a consistently successful team that’s regularly competing for major trophies,” she told the Sun.

“Do we want to win the Premier League within five to 10 years? Yes.”

Three years in and Newcastle United are nowhere near becoming Premier League champions. While the ambition is to reach that level, it is impossible to predict how long it will take.

If it were not for the Premier League’s financial restrictions, perhaps Newcastle United would be a lot closer.