Keith Downie has stated that a ‘huge project’ awaits Newcastle’s new owners after the takeover was completed on Thursday afternoon.
The Sky reporter’s fellow colleague, Rob Jones, reacted to Downie getting ’emotional’ whilst breaking the news about the Newcastle takeover live on air, as broadcast on Sky Sports News (07/10/21 at 5:25 pm)
It has finally happened and Newcastle supporters, after 14 long and draining years, are finally free of Mike Ashley.
A Saudi-based consortium is now in charge of the North East giants and their fans can now start to dream.
The Magpies suffered two relegations under Ashley’s stewardship, but that worry of going nowhere can now be wiped away.
Sky reporter Downie claimed that even Ashley himself would ‘admit’ that there are many things that need changing at St James’ Park.
“It would take me four years to talk about that, that’s how long it would take to get through,” said Downie.
“It has been a long, long time. There have been so many twist and turns. I stood here in April 2020 last year when I was told that an agreement had been reached with the consortium. The exact consortium in place, right now, to takeover the club.”
Later on presenter Rob Jones added: “We have heard behind-the-scenes that it has been called project zebra, this plan to buy Newcastle United. I can see it’s an emotional moment for you actually, Keith, having followed this story for so long.”
Downie added: “It’s a huge project. There are so many things that need improving. I think Mike Ashley would admit that himself.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Steve Bruce because it’s not like he is Mr. Popular with the Newcastle faithful.
It is probably a matter of time before he is given his marching orders, but even if he is still in charge for the Tottenham game after the international break, he probably won’t last long after that.
Every big-name player will be thrown out there as a possibility to sign for the club.
But patience is needed in that department and the work on the field needs to be sorted before anything else.
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