The turnaround at Newcastle United since the change of ownership is absolutely ‘staggering’ according to former Toon boss Sam Allardyce.
This time last year, the Magpies were still battling relegation. It was a very real possibility that Eddie Howe’s side could drop in to the Championship.
Fast forward to the present day and Newcastle are third in the Premier League and challenging for a place in next season’s Champions League. We are also heading to Wembley, with the Toon set to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
Everything is going right for Newcastle, and that has been the case for about a year now. The club is revitalised and everyone is pulling in the same direction.
No one could have anticipated that things would go this well when Mike Ashley sold the club on October 7th 2021, and now Allardyce has heaped praise on what the new owners have done at St James’ Park.
Newcastle owners’ achievement is ‘unheard of’ says Sam Allardyce
The 68-year-old has been speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, and addressed what PIF have done since buying Newcastle.
“It’s staggering for me the combination of the Eddie and his backroom staff and the new owners getting it right so quickly,” he said.
“It’s unheard of for somebody to come and buy a new football club and get it right. Man City didn’t, they had struggles for years, Liverpool under these owners and I think Everton, you look at that and what has been input there in terms of millions and millions.
“And all of a sudden Newcastle hit the ground running from the first time and it’s almost instant success on and off the field, with their recruitment policy that they have got.
“They have not got sucked into the inflation of prices because everyone thinks they have billions and billions just to throw at it.”
Recruitment has been spot on by PIF at Newcastle
As Allardyce says, this is completely unheard of. When Newcastle became the ‘richest club in the world’, a lot of people expected outlandish signings that would inevitably have backfired.
But the owners have taken a more measured approach. Football decisions have been made, which is why there have been no Hollywood signings despite our newfound wealth.
From players to staff, the recruitment has been incredible. Eddie Howe is now one of the top managers in the country, while he is working alongside the highly respected Dan Ashworth. Then we have Darren Eales as CEO, who did a brilliant job at Atlanta United.
Newcastle have brought in top class people, and it is setting the club up for a sustained period of success. But that success could come sooner than anticipated, with European football and possibly a trophy on the horizon.
The atmosphere at St James’ Park is amazing right now, and it just shows what a difference a bit of ambition and unity can make.
Ashley must look back and realise how wrong he got it.
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