Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles has claimed that Amanda Staveley is now under pressure at Newcastle United.
Staveley was the face of the takeover at St James’ Park, but let’s not forget, she’s not the owner. She is a minority shareholder and should PIF decide to do so, her role at the club could be reduced.
At the moment, according to Castles, Staveley is doing a number of jobs at once, acting as the club’s chief executive and chief negotiator, and Castles says that she’s under pressure on Tyneside.
What’s been said?
Castles shared what he knows about Staveley at Newcastle.
“Remember, you have an ownership structure where 80 per cent is owned by PIF but the management of the club and the management contract with the club is with Amanda Staveley and PCP Partners. That contract could be cancelled at any point, it is not an indefinite agreement in the sense that PIF are committed to using PCP for a set period of time,” Castles said.
“Therefore, Amanda Staveley is under pressure here, and she’s taken it upon herself to be the de facto chief executive and the de facto head of recruitment in the sense that she’s the chief negotiator on these projects. She’s having to reference PIF and get approval to do these deals. But she’s doing a lot more of the work than was intended, there was supposed to be sporting director in place this window.
“I’m hearing that there could be additional pressure on Staveley in that the previous owner Mike Ashley is not happy with how the club is being run since she took over that management contract.”
More time needed
Castles says that Staveley is under pressure, but it’s tough to imagine PIF removing her at this point.
Staveley has been the face of this takeover for almost three years at this point, and while there hasn’t been as much progress as Newcastle had hoped for so far, these things take time.
Castles mentions Mike Ashley being unhappy with the running of the club, but again, it’s hard to imagine PIF or anyone associated with Newcastle taking his opinion seriously at this point.
Staveley needs more time to settle into her eventual role after a proper sporting director and chief executive are appointed.
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