Newcastle United's upcoming Amazon Prime documentary is set to give rival Premier League clubs a closer look at the boardroom dynamics behind the scenes at St James' Park.
With Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow suggesting that the Premier League are looking into the way Newcastle are ran, despite no confirmation from the top-flight themselves, the inner workings at United will soon be available for all to see. It is understood that Newcastle chiefs will not have control over content in Amazon's four-part series - but leading figures at United were completely relaxed about it.
The documentary is not only focusing on the work of co-owner Amanda Staveley but will feature exclusive and unprecedented boardroom chats from key executives such as CEO Darren Eales and sporting director Dan Ashworth as well as head of recruitment Steve Nickson. Nickson has attended a clutch of recent home matches as Newcastle whittle down their summer shortlist and potential insight on transfers could come the way of fans.
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The main concern of Newcastle skeptics is that there is no separation between the Saudi state and the day to day running of United. But the Magpies are following a legally-binding agreement with the Premier League to ensure that any initial concerns - after the takeover was not passed in 2020 - are adhered to.
The reality is that Newcastle have a strong executive team on Tyneside on a daily basis after appointing the likes of Ashworth and Eales last summer. Recently Villa CEO Purslow was asked by Sky News if the Premier League are investigating the running of United and said: "I think they are (investigating). "If there is a contradiction in representation made at the time of the takeover, as to the nature of the relationship between the rulers of that country - the sovereign wealth fund and Newcastle - of course, the Premier League, I'm sure, are investigating that."
Villa chief Purslow - whose club were happy to do business on the £15million sale of Matt Targett last summer with Saudi-backed Newcastle - spoke last week on United's affairs. But Newcastle have remained composed throughout the season when asked about the running of Toon affairs since Mike Ashley sold the club in October 2021.
The Premier League have been consistent in not commenting on suggestions Newcastle's takeover should be "re-examined" but since the dispute between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf organisation shed new light on United, it has still been business as usual at the club.
Premier League supremo Richard Masters, who passed the takeover in October 2021, said earlier this year: "Obviously we are completely aware (of the US court documents). "And you're correct about the general nature of the undertakings that we received at the point of takeover.
"But I can't really go into it at all. "The time when the Premier League comments publicly on regulatory issues is when it's charged and at the end of the process when an independent panel has decided whether any rule breaches have actually taken place.
"The investigatory process, we don't talk about at all."
However, the fact that the Premier League wanted Newcastle as part of their Summer Series in the United States and have worked closely with the Magpies in recent months suggests that things are still running smoothly between the top-flight and Saudi-backed United. Newcastle will be on the same pre-season bills as Chelsea, Brentford, Brighton and Aston Villa across the pond in July.
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