Opinion

I have tried to set out an objective view of where Newcastle United are and can be, within the 2030 timeframe that David Hopkinson has set out following his strategic review of the club.

The End of the Beginning

Having completed a 100-day review, David Hopkinson set out his vision for the club as “consistently contending for the top prizes in global football by 2030”. His position – which he followed up at a recent FT event – has sparked debate and commentary.

A CEO needs to set out an ambition, but having lost the derby, exited the Champions League and with the likelihood of finishing outside the top 7, let alone the financial chasm we face, that seems highly unrealistic.

I wanted to set out an objective view of the first phase of PIF ownership and six expectations that he should be held accountable to as we enter phase two.

The Financial Chasm

We all know that after fourteen years of prior neglect that we’ve been playing catch-up, but the recent Deloitte figures show just how big the “Financial League” gap remains. While our financial growth post-takeover leads the market in percentage terms, in...