There were indeed major changes at Newcastle United this summer, albeit not the ones people were expecting.
For all the talk of a major rebuild in the Newcastle squad this summer, it was in fact matters off the pitch that proved more dramatic.
In lieu of any significant new signings, the major facets of change at the club came in the hierarchy.
Paul Mitchell arrived as the club’s new sporting director, while James Bunce came in as performance director.
Even above them, PIF had a restructure.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi both left the club this summer in news that was said to have left some of the first-team squad bewildered.
Eddie Howe is thought to have been hit hard by the news the directors had left, such was his good relationship with the pair.
After a dreadful transfer window slammed by club legend Alan Shearer, more insight has now emerged.
Why Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi left Newcastle this summer
According to the Daily Mail, sources have now confirmed the duo had been forced out. CEO Darren Eales was thought to have been of the belief the couple were too involved in day-to-day proceedings at Newcastle and told a PIF representative exactly that.
Such a message is said to have caused a split at the top of the club, leaving Staveley and Ghodoussi with no choice but to sell their shares, which is reported to have left them heartbroken.
Serious questions need answering at Newcastle now
Staveley and Ghodoussi still seemingly enjoy a good relationship with the players, with Bruno Guimaraes recently sending a message of support.
Clearly, that doesn’t mean losing them will be a bad thing for the club long-term but the optics certainly aren’t great.
Perhaps the new regime will prove they can get Newcastle back on track but they have a long way to go to match what Staveley and Ghodoussi did for the club.
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