Former investment banker Mehrdad Ghodoussi is Iranian-born and a PCP Capital Managing Partner; he has been married to Amanda Staveley since 2011.
There was a piece in the National in Dubai yesterday on the PCP Capital Partners bid and that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley last Tuesday ended the long drawn-out negotiations and also said they had been a waste of time and frustrating.
The National reports the PCP Capital Partners-led consortium remains a buyer of Newcastle until at least the summer unless Benitez leaves the club.
And they report that PCP’s CEO Amanda Staveley thinks Rafa Benitez is doing a phenomenal job with an under-strength Newcastle squad,
Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley –
at St. James’ Park in October
This is what Mehrdad Ghodoussi told The National in Dubai yesterday:
“If Benitez were to leave the club, either before or at the end of the season, then PCP would potentially walk away from the deal.”
“We would love to buy Newcastle. The fans are phenomenal, the club could be huge and a big success if run properly.” (Mike Ahsley please note)
“You need a world-class manager. If Rafa isn’t there at the end of the season we would have to rethink this transaction.”
The best chance we have of getting new owners in is for Newcastle to become safe in the Premier League as soon as possible.
Then there’s a chance that Amanda Staveley will raise her offer for the club and a deal can be agreed between the two parties.
That’s the hope and whether it will happen we really have no idea – Mike Ashley can be very stubborn.
But there’s a chance if it doesn’t happen then Rafa will walk this summer.
We don’t think he will if we are not relegated, but it could happen.
Comments welcome.
117 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Comment #1I’d take a relegation to be rid of Ashley if Benitez stayed.
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:43 AM
Comment #2“If Benitez were to leave the club, either before or at the end of the season, then PCP would potentially walk away from the deal.”
“We would love to buy Newcastle. The fans are phenomenal, the club could be huge and a big success if run properly.”
“You need a world-class manager. If Rafa isn’t there at the end of the season we would have to rethink this transaction.”
I believe that is what the Persians (Iranians) call ‘Shah Mat.’
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:43 AM
Comment #3Linds
He’ll defo pick a full side
Our next PL game is Tuesday 30th Jan vs Burnley
We play Chelski in the FA cup next Saturday
(that will be the weakened side)
sing in the corner
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:45 AM
Comment #4I have no doubt Ashley is enjoying this saga. We crossed and continue to cross a vengeful, spiteful man, who is determined to have his pound of flesh.
I reckon he probably scores high on the psychopath test, as do many successful businessmen.
DubaiMicky
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:46 AM
Comment #5Jail – I’d take a relegation to be rid of Ashley if Benitez stayed.
If we get relegated (and I still don’t think we will), then Rafa will leave and Ashley will stay as he won’t sell the club at a loss.
That’s the only scenario if we go down – Steve Bruce as next manager?
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:46 AM
Comment #6checkmate ? more like Baghdad flannel
one fine day
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:49 AM
Comment #7Off topic
Anyone heard what’s happening to Beardsley ?
Other than the under23 finding form in his absence?
” investigations” seem to be taking a while .
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:49 AM
Comment #8It’s clear that PCP are trying to drive a wedge between
Rafa and Ashley
An understandable tactic.
But it could backfire badly if it effects team performance
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Comment #9I am not sure what the “Baghdad flannel” is, but if it is anything like the ‘Spandau Ballet,’ I am all for watching Ashley doing it.
Slank
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Comment #10The thing that bothers me is Ms Staveley’s announcement the other day along the lines of they have other investors.
It may be just semantics but the word ‘investors’ conjures up people who want to make money. I get the feeling that this ‘takeover’ is all about using our club so that others, herself included, can make money.
I’m sure that’s not what many fans, possibly the majority, want to hear.
I want a buyer who has a love of the game and a fondness for our club and not some faceless foreign investors.
lochinvar
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #11Taking a look at Louise Taylor’s article in the Guardian reveals
“Benítez has 18 months left on a contract that includes a clause stipulating he – or a poaching club – must pay a £6m compensation fee should he resign before entering the final 12 months of the deal.”
So come June between this season and next season Rafa could go without financial penalty . PCP confirm that Rafa is integral to their bid. Ashley won’t sell until PCP give him the spondoolicks that he craves. PCP are unlikely to buy before our Premier League status is assured and that would seem to be heavily dependent on new signings giving us more chance of achieving the results needed. So Rafa needs to be allowed to do that.
My head hurts.
Slank
Jan 20, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #12Jib,
I think you may be right.
Looking back a few weeks many bloggers on here noticed a change in Rafa’s persona. He seemed much more relaxed.
I wonder whether this coincided with Rafa, talking about at his pre match press conference, about the meeting / conversation with Ashley about the deal being dead and getting a commitment that he and Charnley will get the players on Rafa’s wish list
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Comment #13Slank, yes, why would anybody possibly want to buy the club and hope to get a return on their investment.
Better the Devil you know, as some say…
Lindisfarne
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:05 AM
Comment #14AC
I am sure “Gold” had been belted out in Ashley’s corporate box / den of intoxia at SJP.
Slank
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Comment #15Ancient,
Most clubs, possibly the vast majority, are bought for reasons other than financial gain.
Given the wealth of the owners, any financial gain from owning a club would be wholly insignificant in comparison to what they already possess and which provides them with their wealth.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Comment #16Slank,
Bar the Mansours and Abromovich they’re all in it for the money. Ashley is in it for the money and his advertising, the extra wealth from success has never been in his blueprint. You do not need to be successful to sell tat. Look at his adverts on Sky Sports. Made for less than a hundred quid.
ShireToon(Disavowed)
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:07 AM
Comment #17Groundhog Day!
Matchday!
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:10 AM
Comment #18Lindisfarne, I was thinking more of the Nazis jerking whilst hanging from nooses in Spandau (Germany), but singing Gold would be a nice opener for Ashley, if the aforementioned Spandau Ballet was up next for him.
Lindisfarne
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Comment #19Jib
I was hoping there would be a new team bought in for the Cup game!
MikeAshleysWallet
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Comment #20Slightly off topic but how is she “Ms” Stavely if she’s married?
JKG
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:14 AM
Comment #21The fans should buy the club off him. Copy the Barcelona model.
Outside investors are just in it to make money.
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #22“Most clubs, possibly the vast majority, are bought for reasons other than financial gain.”
Slank, are you joking?
Yeah, the reasons for buying a football club are never explained as being for financial gain, if you lose your money and have to sell it.
Wasn’t it Tynemouth that likened buying a football club to buying a restaurant. Risky business.
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:16 AM
Comment #23The are dragging the Peter Beardsley episode out until end January so they can say they were ‘too busy’ with that so they couldn’t deal with transfers
As Beardsley always says (obviously)
one fine day
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Comment #24Ancient c@18
He would even have sports direct media wall panels behind his scaffold
AncientC
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #25OFD ha.
Lindisfarne
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Comment #26It is well known Ashley has presided over a worsening of the clubs ability to generate commercial revenue and cost cutting. Any potential new owner would target this area for improvement to enrich the club and an opportunity for a return on their investment.
JDdubai
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:41 AM
Comment #27I’m sure the Abu Dhabi group that bought City is an investment group officially, wasn’t it in their full name?
If that’s the case then this could also be the case with AS, both backed by “foreign sovereign wealth” too. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s people like MA who are just after their return.
If you did have sovereign wealth behind you, no way you would tell MA this as it would be 450m he would want.
But investment group and sovereign wealth could be MBS as rumoured still, the Reuben’s just a decoy or perhaps minor players in the first proposal.
Who the hell knows though obvs, I’m not 100% discounting Mickys info just yet.
Bambams
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Comment #28JDdubai
Exactly fella.
The Reuben brothers will be a Red Herring because you know if Ash knew the real backer (MBS) he would increase the price.
toonincheek
Jan 20, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Comment #29Interesting aside:
Cashley told Rafa 2-3 weeks ago that he didn’t think
the takeover would go ahead.
Was Cashley using Rafa? Was he expecting that
‘confidence’ to be passed on to PCP? (hoping to
promt an increased offer)
Did Rafa honour the confidence – and say nothing?
magpie6699
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:08 AM
Comment #30I believe we have a football match today? Anyone think we’ll get away with less than a 6-0 pounding? Can’t believe the people who’ve voted for a win! Yes, Liverpool beat them – but Liverpool have the attackers to score 4 goals – and still conceded 3. We can’t score many so how can we expect to beat them!
Lindisfarne
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Comment #310-1
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Comment #32Awful quiet this a.m.
Folk must do , what we do ,
Bathe every 3rd Saturday in the
month whether we need one or not.
If we manage a draw I might stop
beating the wife for a week.
ShireToon(Disavowed)
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #33Round of applause for Jib
By god he’s finally admitted to beating his wife!!!!!
Bravo!!!!
Mister Tuff
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:26 AM
Comment #34Ancient – I noticed you had to deal with a clot yesterday or the day before – Jules/Hodge (same person/multiple scumbag) making daft claims.
Sometimes it is interesting to see which blog spoilers are lurking about ready to launch their mischief.
I had an interest in MBS – frankly knew nothing about him – until he was mentioned on here – then I saw a trailer on the Beeb that there was an up and coming programme about him so mentioned it on here.
I also did a post stating the the Reuben brothers were Jewish.
This all then gets twisted into accusations about anti- slavery, being anti semitic, with the National Front and Momentum support hoyed in for good measure.
I did note others had also described the Reubens as Jewish – yet they attracted no comments at all – just confirms points scoring/settling old scores by saddo’s.
Really defies logic some of the tosh put on here sometimes.
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Comment #35same person/multiple scumbag
a bit like Prometheus eh what ?
nudge nudge wink wink
know what I mean
😎
Rob1971
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Comment #36Jib Ashley is the only person annoying Rafa, the last 2 transfer windows is showing rafa that there is no chance of us going anywhere under Ashley apart from being a yoyo club
SPRINGY
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Comment #37Looking like a tough day ahead….would love a win or draw….but would settle for a decent performance and a low scoring defeat,a decent performance is important to try and keep confidence up…aye its sounds defeatist but have to be practical….as I’ve hope for shock win,be proud of a battling draw….would settle for a low scoring defeat with decent performance.
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Comment #38Roger Federer is playing canny
for a 36 year old
Ron Knee
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Comment #39Lee Ryder
Fresh quotes from the Middle East from Amanda Staveley: “The three separate bids we put in, as they changed in October going into late November, all had one consistent part to them throughout and that is we must have Rafa remain as manager.”
Jib
Jan 20, 2018 at 11:35 AM
Comment #40Rob1971
Rafa loves NUFC and the folk of Newcastle
Ashley wants out
It will all come good in the end
Just keep the love coming for
Señor Benitez