Newcastle United je danas prodat Saudijskom investicionom fondu (PIF), PCP Capital Partners (Amanda Staveley) i RB Sports & Media (braća Reuben) za 305 miliona funti.

Vlasništvo je raspoređeno po principu 80% (PIF) - 10% (PCP) - 10% RB S&M

Premier League statement @ 5.15pm:

The Premier League, Newcastle United Football Club and St James Holdings Limited have today settled the dispute over the takeover of the club by the consortium of PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.

Following the completion of the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test, the club has been sold to the consortium with immediate effect.

The legal disputes concerned which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club following the takeover.

All parties have agreed the settlement is necessary to end the long uncertainty for fans over the club’s ownership.

The Premier League has now received legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club.

All parties are pleased to have concluded this process which gives certainty and clarity to Newcastle United Football Club and their fans.

NUFC statement @ 5.25pm:

An investment group led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and also comprising PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media (the “Investment Group”), has completed the acquisition of 100% of Newcastle United Limited and Newcastle United Football Club Limited (“Newcastle United” or the “Club”) from St. James Holdings Limited.

All requisite approvals have been obtained from the English Premier League and the acquisition was completed on 7 October 2021.

The Investment Group is comprised of long-term, patient investors who have every confidence in the future success of the Club. Today’s announcement is the conclusion of a thorough and detailed process that has allowed the Investment Group to arrive at a deal that benefits all stakeholders and will leave Newcastle United well-placed to pursue a clear, long-term strategy.

His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, will serve as Non-Executive Chairman of Newcastle United. Amanda Staveley, chief executive of PCP Capital Partners, will have one seat on the board. Jamie Reuben will also be a director of the Club, representing RB Sports & Media.

For PIF, one of the world’s most impactful investors, the acquisition is in line with its strategy of focusing on key sectors including Sports and Entertainment, and aligns with PIF’s mission to actively invest over the long term – in this case, to harness the Club’s potential and build upon the Club’s legacy.

Commenting on the agreement, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, said: "We are extremely proud to become the new owners of Newcastle United, one of the most famous clubs in English football.

"We thank the Newcastle fans for their tremendously loyal support over the years and we are excited to work together with them."

Amanda Staveley, Chief Executive Officer of PCP Capital Partners, said: "This is a long-term investment. We are excited about the future prospects for Newcastle United.

"We intend to instil a united philosophy across the Club, establish a clear purpose, and help provide leadership that will allow Newcastle United to go on to big achievements over the long term.

"Our ambition is aligned with the fans – to create a consistently successful team that’s regularly competing for major trophies and generates pride across the globe."

Jamie Reuben of RB Sports & Media, said: "We look forward to a great future for Newcastle United. Newcastle is a fantastic city, which is why our family has been investing heavily in the area for many years. To become part of this great Club and its amazing fans is a privilege.

"We will build a true community Club, based upon our family’s knowledge of the city and in line with our plans that have been worked on closely with Newcastle City Council to deliver long-term sustainable growth for the area."

The directors of the Investment Group thank Mike Ashley for his commitment to the sale process. We would also like to thank the Premier League for its contribution in the regulatory process, which has helped lead to completion of this deal.

 photo: bleachersnews.com

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS  -  NEWCASTLE UNITED  2 : 1

Južnokorejski reprezentativac Hee Chan Hwang sa dva gola bo je koban po Newcastle United, gde je domaći Wolverhampton pobedio rezultatom 2:1.

U 20. minutu igre Hee Chan Hwang je udarcem sa desetak metara iskosa sa desne strane terena lako savladao Darlowa koji nije dobro pokrio svoj desni ugao i domaćin je poveo sa 1:0. Asistenciju upisuje Jimenez koji je lako na sredini terena oduzeo loptu Longstaffu.

Nešto kasnije Moutinho testira Darlowa udarcem sa distance, ali ovaj je budan.

U 36. minutu utakmice zbog povrede kuka iz igre je morao da izađe Joe Willock, dok je umesto njega u igru ušao Jeff Hendrick koji je dobio zvižduke od gostujućeg sektora. Neverovatno!!!

Igrač domaćih Francisco Trincao je mogao Wolverhampton da dovede u vođstvo od 2:0 ali je njegov udarac sa desetak metara pogodio prečku gostujućeg gola.

Već u sledećem napadu rezervista Jeff Hendrick rezantnim udarcem sa preko dvadeset metara pogađa mrežu domaćih za 1:1 u 41. minutu utakmice. Joelinton i golman domaćih Sa su se sudarili, Sa je ostao da leži na travi ali kad je video da se igra nastavila, ustao je sa trave ali nije stigao da odbrani udarac Hendricka. Jeff gol proslavlja sa šakom na uhu (sad da vas čujem) ispred tribine gde su bili smešteni gostujući navijači sa koje su mu pojedini navijači samo pet minuta ranije zviždali.

U nastavku igre Allan Saint-Maximin ima odličnu priliku za 1:2 ali njegov udarac sa pet metara meastralno brani golman domaćih Jose Sa.

Hee Chan Hwang svojim novim golom udarcem levom nogom sa petnaestak metara iskosa sa leve strane u 58. minutu utakmice postavlja konačan rezultat Wolverhampton Wanderers - Newcastle United 2:1. Ponovo je Raul Jimenez bio začetnik akcije prilikom gola domaćih. Primio je loptu na sredini terena, okrenuo Haydena i Longstaffa i u prvaom momentu uposlio Hwanga koji lako savladava ponovo loše postavljenog Darlowa. Dubravka, vraćaj se na teren što pre.

Zanimljivo je bilo videti da i Manquillo i Fernadez nose isto prezime i isti broj 19. Potpuno je nejasno kako je Fernadez u drugom poluvremenu nosio dres Manquillo 19? Možda je Steve Bruce time želeo da zbuni protivničke igrače?

Do kraja meča rezervista Jacob Murphy je imao jedan solidan prodor, pao je u šesnaestercu domaćih ali penala nije bilo, tako da su svrake sa kišnog Molineauxa otišle kući pokisle bez bodova.

 
Konačan rezultat: 2 : 1

 
NUFC: Darlow, Manquillo (Murphy 70), Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, S.Longstaff, Almiron (Gayle 77), Willock (Hendrick 36), Hayden, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
Subs n/u: Gillespie, Lewis, Krafth, Schar, Fraser, Anderson.

WWFC: Jose Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Semedo, Moutinho, Neves, Mracal, Trincao (Dendoncker 86), Jimenez, Hwang (Traore 90+3).
Subs n/u: Ruddy, Ait Nouri, Boly, Cundle, Hoever, Podence, Silva.

Sudija: Graham Scott

Gledalaca:

P.S.
Tri boda iz sedam utakmica i 19. mesto na tabeli Premier League nije nešto čime bi Steve Bruce mogao da se pohvali. Bez pobede smo u ovom prvenstvu ali čini se da Mike Ashley ne želi da menja trenera već gleda kako da proda klub.

Svi se nadamo da bi klub mogao biti prodat krajem januara ali tada će biti kasno jer ćemo puno zaostajati za mestom koje garantuje opstanak u Premier League.

Ovo je pravi trenutak za smenu trenera jer sledi reprezentativna pauza, ali to se neće desiti.

photo: dailymail

WATFORD  -  NEWCASTLE UNITED  1 : 1

Dobar meč viđen je na Vicarage Roadu gde je Newcastle United dominirao tokom celog meča.

Poveo je Newcastle United 0:1 u prvom poluvremenu preko Sean Longstaffa topovskim udarcem sa distance u 23. minutu prvog poluvremena.

Nakon toga Svrake su propustile nekoliko odličnih prilika da dokusure Watford. Šanse su promašivali Longstaff, Joelinton, Willock, Almiron i Clark.

Međutim, kao što to obično biva kada se propuste prilike, usledi kazna. Na 1:1 izjednačio je Ismaila Sarr glavom u 72. minutu utakmice, da bi King pred kraj meča postigao gol koji je srećom iz VAR sobe poništen.

Jacob Murphy je duboko u sudijskoj nadoknadi imao poslednju priliku za gol ali je njegov takozvani pokušaj loba golman Watforda Foster lako odbranio. 

Konačan rezultat: 1 : 1

NUFC: Darlow, Manquillo, Hayden, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Almiron (Murphy 79), Willock (Gayle 83), S.Longstaff, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.

Subs n/u: Gillespie, Lewis, Krafth, Schar, Hendrick, Anderson, Fraser.

WFC: Foster, Kiko (Ngakia 67), Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose, Kucka (Pedro 64), Sissoko, Sarr, Cleverley (Tufan 46), Dennis (Etebo 75), King.

Subs n/u: Elliot, Sema, Masina, Kabasele, Cucho.

Šteta za ovaj remi jer je ovo bila idealna prilika da zabeležimo prvu pobedu u prvenstvu. Trenutno smo na 17. mestu sa tri osvojena boda iz šest utakmica. Sledeće subote putujemo u Wolverhampton.

 photo: dailymail 

NEWCASTLE UNITED  -  LEEDS UNITED  1 : 1

U dopadljivoj fudbalskoj predstavi na severoistoku Engleske, Newcastle United i Leeds United su na St James' Parku podelili bodove. Posle devedeset minuta igre rezultat je glasio 1:1.

Poveo je Leeds United golom Raphine već u 13. minutu igre. Naime, Raphinha je sa desnog boka levom nogom ubacio loptu u šesnaesterac domaćih gde ju je tamo pametno preskočio Rodrigo. Lopta iznenađuje povratnika u startnih jedanaest Darlowa i ona završava u desnom donjem uglu njegovog gola, za 0:1.

U nastavku igre Newcastle United stvara dve odlične prilike za gol. Prvu preko Joelintona ali njegov udarac čudesno brani odlični Meslier, dok je drugu imao Matt Ritchie koji u 35. minutu utakmice udarcem sa distance desnom nogom pogađa stativu gostujućeg gola.

Baš kada se mislilo da će gosti na poluvreme otići sa minimalnom prednošću, Allan Saint-Maximin pravi dar-mar u odbrani gostiju i preciznim udarcem desnom nogom sa dvanaestak metara poravnava rezultat na 1:1 u 44. minutu prvog poluvremena. Levi bek Firpo je klizećim startom otišao po kačamak. Saint-Maximin gol proslavlja sa Toon Army.

Međutim, ostalo je još toliko vremena da gosti stvore još jednu priliku gde su mogli i do 1:2 preko Firpa koji je sa pet metara prebacio gol Darlowa. Pre Firpovog udarca u dva navrata su udarci gostujućih igrača bili izblokirani.

U drugom poluvremenu Leeds United je umalo stigao do 1:2 autogolom Lascellesa. Srećom, Karl Darlow je bio budan i čudesnom odbranom odbranio svoj gol. Bamford i Klich su imali svoje prilike ali je Darlow izlazio kao pobednik.

Sudija Mike Dean je imao svoju predstavu na ovom meču. Ne samo što nije ništa svirao u korist domaćih, nego je i smetao Haydenu prilikom pokušaja udarca na protivnički gol. Đubre!

Do kraja meča Allan Saint-Maximin je imao tri udarca na gol ali je gostujući golman Meslier u sva tri navrata izašao kao pobednik.


Konačan rezultat: 1 : 1


NUFC: Darlow, Manquillo (Krafth 81), Clark, Lascelles, Hayden, Ritchie, Saint-Maximin, S.Longstaff, Willock, Almiron (Fraser 62), Joelinton (Murphy 90+1).
Subs n/u: Gillespie, Lewis, Fernandez, Schar, Hendrick, Gayle.  

LUFC: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling (Shackleton 89), Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha (Summerville 67), Klich, Rodrigo, James (Roberts 61), Bamford.
Subs n/u: Klaesson, Cresswell, Greenwood, Kenneh, McCarron, McKinstry.

Sudija: Mike Dean

Gledalaca: 50,407 (3,000 gostujućih navijača)

P.S.
Posle pet kola imamo svega dva boda i trenutno smo na 18. mestu na tabeli Premier League. Ostaje nam da se molimo Bogu da Saint-Maximin nastavi da pruža dobre partije i da se Wilson što pre vrati na teren, jer gol nećemo dati ako jedan od njih dvojice ne bude u timu.

Steve Bruce na 1:1 umesto da ubaci napadača Gaylea on brani rezultat.

U sledeća dva kola igramo protiv Watforda i Wolvesa. Oba meča igramo u gostima.

photo: dailymail 

On the "Brucie out" chants:

"Look, it's always difficult. I would be sick if I said I quite enjoyed it. It's difficult.

"The frustration is, like any other Premier League club or any other Football League club, if you don't get results then ultimately the manager, head coach, whatever I am, bears the brunt.

"That's what it is, so I have to accept that results haven't been good enough.

"What the disappointment was we played very well at a difficult place last week - as difficult as it was going to get. We played very well and didn't get anything out of the game, which was the frustration.

"It’s not all about me. I’m here to only do what I think is best for the club – and that is manage it as best I can and keep us moving along.

"It’s for other people to answer that (questions about his future). I will continue to do my best. I’m never going to walk away from the challenge of it, that’s for sure. You’re asking the wrong person.”

Asked whether he would consider his position if the abuse he received became detrimental to the team:

"Well then you start looking at yourself, of course but knowing the way I am, it’s not in my nature to walk away from something when we’re in a fight. ‘Oh it’s too difficult so I’m going to walk away’, that doesn’t really register with me.”

He also said:

"Do you not think I want better players? Do you not think I want a better squad to choose from? Do you not think I want the ability to compete at the top end of the transfer market?

"It’s not possible, so I have to accept it and get on with my job as best I can, at this moment. There’s the frustration for everybody concerned, and I’m the same.

"In these difficult moments, I hope my experience of being in it a long time can steer us along that path. It’s not great, I understand that, but that’s where we are.

"The challenge at the minute is just ticking along and make sure that the club stays where it is and we maintain our Premier League status.

"I know for a lot of people that we should be better than that, but that’s where we are at the moment and we have been for a while. That is everybody’s frustration.

"I want Newcastle to be in the top of the league so that frustration is there but I don’t think about, ‘Oh the noise is too bad, walk away Steve’.

It’s not in my nature to walk away from something when we’re in a fight.

Asked about Alan Shearer's comments on Match of the Day, labelling Newcastle a ‘hollow and an empty club’:

"Look, Alan is entitled to his opinion, that’s what he gets paid for, that’s what his job is now.

"What I will say is there is a lot of people and a nucleus of players who have been here a long time, and the club means something to them. There’s a lot of good people who work at the club who have also been here a long long time.

"They want the club to do well and unfortunately at the moment we are not doing well enough.

"All Newcastle fans want to see their team competing at the top of the table, like they did 20 years ago. Unfortunately at this particular moment, we’re not there.

"So there is the frustration for everybody concerned. My job is to keep us — and I knew this was going to be difficult — on an even keel, try and get on with the job and move the club forward as best I can, which is very, very difficult, of course.”

photo: nufc.co.uk