For David Hopkinson, the former Real Madrid executive anointed by Saudi Arabi’s Public Investment Fund to take over from Darren Eales as early as this month, there is much work to do. If a bruising and at times brutal summer has illustrated anything, it is that Newcastle really need the re-set their owners are planning for the autumn months.
Isak arrives at Liverpool’s training ground on Monday (Photo: Reuters)
First things first – did PIF collapse on Isak? Their position certainly vacillated over the summer months but beneath all the posturing everyone at the club has wrestled with the central dilemma of whether Isak, having mentally checked out back in July, could ever truly return to the fold.
But the strength of his response – on top of his shameful conduct over the summer – meant the die was effectively cast. Howe’s style relies on players being “all in”, committed to a high-energy, pressing game. A de-motivated Isak would have been next to useless for the flurry of important autumn games that follow the international break.
“While we’ll all mourning the loss of Alexander’s ability, in reality that ability was withdrawn weeks ago,” one source told The i Paper. There was no enthusiasm internally, despite Howe’s brilliant diplomacy in press conferences, for the saga to extend into the autumn and winter, sucking energy and attention away from the team.
Tonali is among those Newcastle want to hand a new contract (Photo: Reuters)
The club are in contract talks with Tino Livramento – Manchester City had overtures rejected this summer – and The i Paper understands there is interest in discussing terms with Sandro Tonali too. Sven Botman is also in line for a new deal.
The cherry on top was Yoane Wissa, an underrated striker whose scoring record was not far off the Swede last season. They have overpaid significantly – sports analytics firm SciSports rate him at £22m – but a chunk of that will be covered by the plan to sell Will Osula to Eintracht Frankfurt for nearly £30m.
There is a lot of good work going on behind the scenes on the academy, scouting and integration of data but they desperately need a more coherent strategy. Are they Brighton on steroids, a black and white Chelsea or a hybrid of a few recruitment models?
For the new executives coming in there is the chance to carve out a new identity, unchained by some of the PSR problems that have held them back. The i Paper has been told that PIF are pledging to reinvest every penny of the Isak money and the message continues to be that they will spend every pound they can on new players.
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PIF do not move quickly – there are committees, governance structures and “processes” to go through before big decisions are taken – so there was never a chance of Mitchell being replaced quickly. Indeed it is understood the position is still some way off being filled.
Given how badly things might have turned out, Newcastle have actually done pretty well this summer. But unless lessons are absorbed and PIF inject a bit of dynamism into their running of the club, their dream of being “number one” will never get close to being realised.
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