One year ago today, life at Newcastle United changed forever. After years of scrimping under Mike Ashley, the Magpies became the richest club in the world overnight following the completion of the Public Investment Fund's protracted £305million takeover.
But rather than getting carried away with their new-found wealth, Newcastle have adopted a shrewd, measured approach; it has been a case of evolution rather than revolution at St James' Park under the guidance of Eddie Howe, who has worked wonders since succeeding the beleaguered Steve Bruce.
When Howe arrived on Tyneside, Newcastle were sleepwalking towards the Championship after falling into a state of disarray. Less than 12 months on and the Magpies have flourished under Howe's guidance and are finally back on an upward trajectory in the Premier League.
