Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Sunday, March 27.
Newcastle takeover lawyer opens up on dealing with Mike Ashley
The outpouring of excitement, and relief, when the takeover of Newcastle United was finally completed back in October was, for young supporters in particular, like nothing they had ever seen at St James’ Park. It was the end of Mike Ashley’s time at the club’s helm and was the end of an extremely drawn-out process.
Despite the issues that the Toon Army had with the Sports Direct owner, he was very helpful when the takeover was eventually confirmed, according to the lawyer who was tasked with dealing with the selling and buying parties. Nick De Marco, one of the biggest names in sports law, spoke exclusively with ChronicleLive about the takeover and he had special praise for Ashley.
Read more: Nick De Marco on the Newcastle United takeover, Mike Ashley and Toon fans
“To be honest Mike Ashley is one of the best clients I have had in football and I have had many,” he said. “As with most people who have reached his level of success without being handed it on a plate he is very hardworking and expects the same from those around him.
“But he listens carefully to the advice he receives (which is certainly not the case for many in this business) and he gives clear instructions. I have no doubt that without Mike’s determination and intuition, and that of those who work closely with him, the takeover would never have happened. It was at times far more difficult than perhaps most people imagine.”
Read the rest of what De Marco told ChronicleLive here.
Newcastle ‘will be pleased’ with failed Saudi bid for Chelsea
There was plenty of surprise when reports suggested the Saudi Media Group were interested in buying Chelsea when Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government. A bid of around £2billion was supposedly being lined up but that offer was not included in the final shortlist.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed that Newcastle will be happy that there will not be a so-called ‘Saudi derby’ in the Premier League as it would potentially undermine what the Magpies are hoping to gain in the Middle East. He told Football Insider: “I think they will be pleased if it doesn’t happen. I think Newcastle feel they have a fantastic relationship with PIF and don’t see any risk of dilution in the Premier League.
“However, at the same time, they might have felt that the ‘Saudi derby’ would perhaps take away from Newcastle’s achievements by themselves. Also if Chelsea are performing better, that hinders Newcastle’s attempts to create a collaborative fanbase and commercial partners in the Middle East.
“It wouldn’t have made Newcastle’s job impossible, but it would have made it more challenging.”
Read more here.
Dubravka pulled from international duty
Martin Dubravka has become the second United player to be withdrawn early from the current ongoing international break after Fabian Schar pulled out of the Switzerland squad. The Slovakia manager, Stefan Tarkovic, confirmed that the goalkeeper would miss both of his country’s matches, against Norway and Finland.
As confirmed, he was not part of the squad that faced Norway and it is unclear what the next step will be, whether he is treated for the injury/illness in his home country or back in the North-east. Eddie Howe will be hoping to have his number one available for the visit to face Tottenham on Saturday.
