Not like him to go public!!!… I wonder if AA will make a similar statement when he leaves. CLUB STATEMENT - MIKE ASHLEY Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has issued a statement: "I am writing to you in the immediate aftermath of the relegation of our club - a bitterly disappointing outcome for all of us. "Newcastle United rightly has a proud and long tradition of competing at the highest level and I therefore understand and share the pain that supporters will be feeling at this difficult time. "Many of you have expressed strong views about what we could have done differently. I respect those views but I would like to reiterate that it has always been my intention to try to achieve the very best for Newcastle United. "We invested heavily in the squad over last summer and again in January, but we have been unable to secure Premier League status despite the recent efforts of the team under the formidable stewardship of Rafa Benitez. "I've said in the past that when I take on a challenge I am prepared to go through both good times and bad. There can be no doubt that relegation is a terrible blow but I want to assure you that the Club will now be doing everything it can at all levels to try to ensure a swift return to its rightful place in the Premier League. "We have done it before - we can do it again. "In the meantime, I thank the fans for their passionate support, in particular for Rafa and the team at recent fixtures, both home and away. "Clearly it is now time for a period of careful consideration whilst we reflect upon the lessons that need to be learned from the last 12 months to restore this great Club to the very top flight of English football."
hypothetical question, if Ashley sold up at Newcastle and showed interest in us, would you wnat him? Getting rid of the Allams aside, I don't think he's anywhere near as bad as the barcodes make out, he has invested a lot of money in that squad, just employed some **** managers and football directors is all and i'd not have an issue with him rocking up here
He'd probably enjoy it more here, if he enjoys it at all which is perhaps a bigger question. Like many, he doesn't need the money at all and its likely a penis extension thing for him, like some other people at other clubs, no names, no pack drill.… the expectation levels at NUFC are huge and as you have said, apart from making some awful managerial decisions at all levels (Benitez aside) he has invested a huge amount of money in the club, they spent more in the January window I think than the whole of the Bundesliga. He patently wants Benitez to stay and if he can persuade him that'll be two places left to play for next season.
I get the impression he signs people who will then do as he says, essentially making himself the manager.
