Newcastle United have lost two key individuals already this summer.
While Newcastle managed to keep a hold of the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon despite links with a move away before the PSR deadline, a pair of departures have seemingly shocked the squad.
Indeed, it has now been confirmed that both Amanda Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi have left St James’ Park.
Some of the players were said to have been bewildered about the news, even if their presence was only said to have been a reasonably short-term one when the PIF takeover initially went through in October 2021.
Such has been their public-facing nature at the club since the changing of ownership, the news has also attracted the attention of former Newcastle players.
Patrick Kluivert and Shay Given are just two of them.
Patrick Kluivert and Shay Given react as Mehrdad Ghodoussi leaves Newcastle
Ghodoussi took to Instagram to pen an emotional message to supporters.
Kluivert and Given were among those to react, with the former responding with a series of hand clapping emojis and the latter adding love hearts.
PIF will miss Amanda Staveley at Newcastle going forward
Speaking to Geordie Boot Boys earlier this week, HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey revealed exactly what PIF will miss most about Staveley in particular.
He believes Staveley’s ability to handle PR matters in pushing Newcastle forward as a project and a package will be missed going by the owners.
Quite what happens going forward is unclear. Paul Mitchell has arrived as sporting director, while James Bunce is in as performance director.
It seems the club are nailing down appointments for the long term, so it’ll be fascinating to see how PIF’s increasing influence eventually plays out on Tyneside.
After a turbulent season last time out, the pressure looks on.
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