PIF’s Newcastle United are incredibly different to Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United.
Four years on from the PIF takeover, Newcastle United are very much on the up. A club that was starved of hope and ambition now has it in abundance, and there is still so much more to come.
During his time as Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley did not get much right. He did not realise what he had, seemingly treating the club with contempt and apathy.
Given what the Magpies have achieved during the four years since his departure, it would be easy for the ex-Toon chief to have regrets over how he ran the club during his time on Tyneside.
However, his biggest regret came on the pitch at the end of the 2011/12 season.
Mike Ashley’s Champions League regret with Newcastle United
That season, Alan Pardew’s side remarkably finished fifth in the Premier League. It was an astounding campaign, with the Magpies bringing European football back to St James’ Park.
Europa League nights were confirmed for the 2012/13 season, but Ashley’s biggest Newcastle United regret was that they missed out on qualifying for the Champions League.
After selling the club to PIF on 7th October 2021, Mike Ashley reflected on his Toon tenure during an interview with the Sun. He admitted that qualifying for the Champions League would have allowed Newcastle to kick on, but they ultimately fell short.
“I would like to thank the supporters, staff and players for their patience during this period. It’s been a long time coming but it will now open up a positive new chapter for the club.
“Despite what some people may think, I have always had nothing but the greatest respect for the Newcastle United fans.
“My greatest regret was that we so narrowly missed out on a Champions League place in 2011/12 when we finished fifth.
“We were a whisker away. I hoped that we could go on to build from there but it was not to be.
“Owning a football club gets into your blood and I would love nothing more than to see Newcastle winning trophies.”
PIF built on incredible Newcastle United season, unlike Mike Ashley
During Newcastle’s 14 years under Ashley, they did not qualify for the Champions League once.
PIF have been at St James’ Park for four years now, and they have already done it twice. Their ambition, investment and appointment of Eddie Howe has resulted in Newcastle dining at the top table of European football, with superclubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona competing at St James’ Park.
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Silverware has also arrived, with Newcastle winning the 2025 Carabao Cup to end their trophy drought. Thanks to PIF, Toon fans have a moment that will last a lifetime.
The club has just enjoyed its best season ever, and they are not standing still. On the back of winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League, Howe was rewarded with six new senior signings.
The Magpies spent more than £250million on new players this summer, including a club-record deal for Nick Woltemade. He is Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, eclipsing the £63million deal that brought Alexander Isak to the North East in August 2022.
Under PIF, Newcastle refuse to rest on their laurels. In contrast, that is exactly what Ashley’s Newcastle did in 2012 after finishing fifth.
While missing out on the Champions League was a blow, Pardew had still put the club in a position to build upon. Fresh investment could have allowed the Magpies to establish themselves near the top of English football.
Instead, Vurnon Anita was the only senior signing at St James’ Park. That summed up Ashley’s ambition as Newcastle United owner.
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