Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth has revealed the new owners inherited a club that was being run in "survival mode" and that simply staying in the Premier League is no longer enough.
That was very much the aim under previous owner Mike Ashley who was happy to simply stay up and bank TV money. But after meeting the local media, Ashworth has spoken candidly about the direction he wants the club to go in.
In the first part of a series of interviews, Ashworth says the club are working long-term to:
