The Chronicle is reporting today that Mike Ashley is still in negotiations with two serious parties to buy the club.
So we don’t understand why the Bin Zayed Group are saying they could acquire Newcastle before the end of this month if exclusivity has not already been granted to them.
Ever since the news of the BZG group taking over Newcastle emerged more than three weeks ago, there have been two streams of information the fans have received.
One coming from the Bin Zayed Group directly to the fans via two communiques, and one coming from the Chronicle from what they have been able to find out from the club behind the scenes.
And they do not jibe at all.
Sheikh Khaled’s group have said they are waiting for the Premier League to give them the OK to buy Newcastle for £350M – the Chronicle is still reporting that Mike Ashley is waiting for an official bid.
So what’s going on here?
We don’t know, but this is way beyond a joke.
Mike Ashley – has been a disaster for Newcastle United over 12 long years
The Chronicle are reporting there is no way a takeover can complete before 30th June and therefore Rafa Benitez contract is likely to run out.
And Sky Sports have reported the Newcastle manager is taking the £12M/year (probably tax-free) to manage Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League seriously and is considering the deal.
Benítez is running down his contract at Newcastle with only 12 days left, and maybe if he takes the Chinese job it’s because he’s becoming fed up with the antics of the obstinate and stubborn Newcastle owner.
If that happens, it’s a real pity and so ironic if Mike Ashley is still around when he’s chased a world-class manager out of the club.
The blessing the club were given when Rafa agreed to join us in March 2016 and then stayed on when we were relegated.
Push is coming to shove very quickly, and it looks like Newcastle are ready to fall off a cliff at the end of the month – when Rafa’s contract runs out.
Such is the forward planning and management skill of a most incompetent owner.
How did we ever get to this point?
This case in all its glory should be sent to the Harvard Business School so they can use it as an example of how not to manage a company – in this case, a (very) famous Premier League football club.
Comments welcome.
157 comments so far
IrishRob
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:40 PM
Comment #1First
IrishRob
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:41 PM
Comment #2Ed you’re posting nonsense now, when you know very well everything is going to plan. It takes time guys dong stress about it.
Tony Baloney
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Comment #3If Rafa leaves there is no Plan B because he takes the coaches, the transfer targets and connections with him. We wouldn’t have an interim manager from within the club and we would have no plan on who to sell and who to replace them with. And aren’t we off to China 2 weeks after Rafa’s contract is up.
Do you think a new manager would be wanting to shop from Rafa’s list? The problem would then be he would only have a month to implement his own plan. It takes Charnley a month to wipe his arse so we all know how that would go.
Bobbybee
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Comment #4I’ll save the repost.
Tony Baloney
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:59 PM
Comment #5Bobby Bee: I am watching the U21s on TV from Cesena whose badge is black and white stripes with a seahorse.
Bobbybee
Jun 18, 2019 at 7:59 PM
Comment #6Seriously, we have to have the worst national anthem in the world. Its more like a funeral dirge than a rousing anthem.
The mighty wyn
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:00 PM
Comment #7Well said Bobbybee. Everyone’s just stressed cos nobody knows anything. Micky living in Dubai is as likely to be right as any journo.
The journos have been given nothing for 10 years so know nowt. Not one of them has said anything other than back several different options so they can claim they’re right whatever happens
Chancel My MBembaship
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:01 PM
Comment #8Tony Baloney – the only connection I can see between Cesena and the Toon is that Davide Santon played for them on loan right before joining us and that we played them in the Anglo Italian Cup back in 1992 and the score was 2-2!
c-dog
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:06 PM
Comment #9We are on the brink of utter disaster
Pardew will be back before the summer is out
The Sheikh'sMate
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:06 PM
Comment #10The under21s have started at a cracking pace… might be worth watching
Tony Baloney
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:07 PM
Comment #11Watching the U21s it is not England players who would be interesting to NUFC as they would be too expensive. Might get some ides from the other leagues.
c-dog
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:08 PM
Comment #12As we sit
Rafa leaving
Rondon gone
No takeover
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:09 PM
Comment #13Driving off a cliff
Just like what’s the Tory Party doing !!!!!
Bambams
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:11 PM
Comment #14What has changed in the last week that Rafa has now allegedly decided to consider another post.
I wonder if last weeks visit to meet CharnLIE was some sort of goodbye, maybe Rafa has been told the new owners want Mourinho, so he has cleared his office sort of thing – but not as in walking out with cardboard box like SBR.
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Comment #15How do the Journalists know that a exclusivity agreement hasn’t been signed?
How do they know about another bidder when they had no idea about BZG?
How do they know how far along any bid is?
They know nothing at all, Nada Zilch Nowt Sweet FA.
It’s all total BS from ALL media outlets.
I wouldn’t say Mickey was a ITK or claiming to be one, I’m glad hes posted what he has. I know naff all about business never mind how its conducted in the middle east.
The press didn’t even know who was bidding for us, they’re so clueless they thought it was MilkSheikh trying to buy us.
If Mickey hadn’t explained the family the Sheikh, how things work in the middle east I’d still be relying on the media fumbling in the dark.
Cheers Mickey for helping a fan or two out.
BENNY 10
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:15 PM
Comment #16@Bambams
If your privy to secret information so to speak and you have seen screenshots etc that reassure you that a deal is going to take place with BZG why cant it be shared with everyone? So we can all share in your confidence.
Tsunki
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:17 PM
Comment #17Have to say that disappointing though it may be, I don’t think there’s a deal close to completion at all. And Ashley is perfectly placed by virtue of being silent to say he never told anyone he had a deal going and didn’t start any rumours etc.
jane
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Comment #18Bambams you could do yourself a favour by stopping defending DubaiMickey. don’t be tainted.
Tsunki
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Comment #19Oh and neverwin – touché sir. Touché.
You are a shining wit, of that there is no doubt.
DubaiMicky
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Comment #20Dubai is quiet on rumours (and thanks for the support from some and the, let’s be nice, “questioning” from others).
I personally (not based on anything but gut feeling), is that ashLIE is trying to wring every cent from BZG, and to be fair, I can’t blame him. HOWEVER, if he pushes them a millimetre too far they’ll write off the investment and walk away.
That is what worries me, the way I see it is that the seller is the problem, not the buyer. Or buyers. Or 3 bidders. Or is it 17 bidders?
DubaiMicky
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:22 PM
Comment #21That is ashLIE’s style though, once a gambler, always a gambler.
I think that if a sale doesn’t go through we’ll be talking firebombs in sd stores. Thing is, he doesn’t think about that. Just imagine, 40 people, each in the shadows, 40 sd stores wrecked in a night.
Tony Baloney
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:23 PM
Comment #22Remember when news first broke the press were saying Sheikh Khaled was cousin and then half-brother of Sheikh Mansour and turns out it was neither. They don’t even have the google skills of Jib so no wonder we don’t know where we stand.
DavidKelly9
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:23 PM
Comment #23OO / Caulkin has tweeted today he knows who the other bidders are he has also been very vocal in that exclusivity has not been granted i think he has got that info from this 2nd bidder
jane
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:24 PM
Comment #24i hope someone reports DubaiMicky to the authorities for comment #21 that is over the line.
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:25 PM
Comment #25I still think the deals on, the two BZG statements are what I believe.
Nothing else of note has come out from any source.
I dont use Twatter so I’m not sucked in by it, the fake Tweets all seemed suss as why not do that via BZG?
Now this Dentist has a picture of the heads of terms which has been shown around via various sources. It may be real but it looks Mickey Mouse to me, as I said earlier though I know naff all about business so it could be legit.
Makes no odds to me, BZGs two statements are the only thing I’m interested in as its OFFICIAL.
I eagerly look forward to their next!
c-dog
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:25 PM
Comment #26Ashley, Charnley & Gerrard
The dream ticket
jane
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Comment #27Ed/Neil i think you need to take a look at this. wow DubaiMicky you really have crossed the line.
lesh
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Comment #28DubaiMicky
I agree with you. For all Ashley supposedly says he wants to sell the club, he doesn’t – he wants to screw the last drop of blood from a potential buyer and risk losing the sale. He’s not trying to reach an agreement and I’ve said before, he doesn’t do anything in good faith. He’s a calculating liar of a man who has no morals or sense of decency whatsoever.
Why does he remind me of Boris Johnson and his pal, Trump.
Paul141726
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Comment #29IrishRob @ 2:
man, I hope to heaven you are right, but the pessimist in me has taken over. No one, and I mean
NO ONE in the media world have any idea of what is going on. I have my own idea, if you will
not mind me spouting what many will call BS. For me, this is Mike Ashley doing his “jazz thing”. He has a main
theme to his “music”, which is get a reasonably plausible person or group to show interest in purchasing the club, and entering into negotiations. then, he and his “henchmen” (and I’m being kind) will seem very close to concluding
the sale of the club. Even going so far as to feed, through back channels, tasty tidbits to keep us all “clicking” for information. Of this, I consider myself guilty as charged. I can’t stop myself. To me, it comes down to 2 main themes.
1) Ashley will NEVER give even a modest change in NUFC structure to RAFA. Because of this, he has slowed the takeover to crawl. This will have the effect of running Rafa’s contract down and we will have no manager after 30 June. Why? He knows Rafa will not budge with what has been offered to him in a contract. China? I believe Rafa would rather stay home and not be bothered for awhile to manage any club, whether in England or abroad.
2) I believe Ashley knows that if he was to sell, his main advertising plan will be taken away. Hey, he may have said,
through his “mouthpiece Mr. Charnley, that SD will, or has begun, to pay for all the signs etc. plastered all over St. James’ Park. I believe it’s a pittance to what could be received for some good old fashion marketing. But when push comes to shove, this is why Ashley will hesitate to ever sell the club. the free, or almost free advertising would go away and he would have to pay the going rate. And damn it, I’m tired of seeing SD signs around the park if not being paid the going rate.
In conclusion, I just think Ashley has played and improvised his “jazz tune” like a true expert, DAMN HIM!!
Sorry for the rant and hope I am wrong, and IrishRob is right.
DavidKelly9
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Comment #30Micky nice to have you back, whats your take on the mark douglas story today that they is no way the deal can be done by the end of june
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Comment #31David
I’m not bothered what any of the Journalists have to say, they’re all desperate for a story.
All I want to see or read is official statements as everything else is folly.
lesh
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:31 PM
Comment #32Jane/ Jib
I don’t think you’re doing yourself any favours with comments aimed at Mickey and Ed.
Give your troublemaking a rest.
Tsunki
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:32 PM
Comment #33Jane I considered it but reporting Mickeg for saying Ashley is a gsmbler would be a toughie tl make stick as a slsnder case.
Though I do think it’s nice of Mickey to suggest that fans send him nice pressies like some of those exotic bathbombs. I think he’d really appreciate it I really do. Plus wouldn’t he smell lovely when he cosies up to Lee in his billowing huge white shirt and fragrant sweaty armpits? Lovely.
Tsunki
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #34I think youd be better off dobbing my autocorrect in for defamation.?
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #35Will the shit hit the fan if it turns out to be another fakeover or funked up deal by Ashley.
DubaiMicky
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:35 PM
Comment #36So Jane, I’m guessing you’re thinking “incitement to violence”, however, your “brother from another mother” Jib (aka JustIn Barnes) would say that wouldn’t he.
You really think Jane that the Geordie Nation will take this? Cos I, as a proud Geordie won’t. If, IF this sale doesn’t go through then sd will be wrecked, as will all of ashLIE’s empire.
ashLIE bid once too many and he lost his empire, and you knpow what, in some ways I hope he does. A truly odious little man.
Bambams
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:35 PM
Comment #37Jane
Good evening.
I am nearly 50 years of age, I base my opinions on facts, something I do every day – I am not tainted.
Benny 10
Cos we wont !
Sorry fella, not my call and a lot would have to be be redacted, a vast majority has been shared on here already.
I have done this sort of thing for a long time, well before I came onto this blog, its safer to just not share rather than get someone in bother either because of their employment or their standing in life which brings them into a position where they are privy to information not readily available to others.
Some of the people I speak to under the NUFC umbrella have known me professionally for over 25 years.
Right I am away for a pint and a chat with the boys
Laters
🙂
RobLeenio
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:36 PM
Comment #38Two simple facts remain, whatever else anyone says and independent of anything which has come from Dubai Micky.
The BZG have stated funds have been proven, a joint heads of terms has been signed by the club and them and submitted to the premier League for approval.
The club have not denied this.
Anything else is speculation. Believe it or believe it not, but don’t have a go at those who share what they have heard.
Jane your comment to bambams is one of the most bitchy I’ve seen on this blog. Bambams and Micky are mates who share info with each other and this blog. Do you not value loyalty?
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:36 PM
Comment #39Hmmmmmmmmm
Is Jane Jib or possibly someone else.
Damn you Jail, you thinking what I am?
DubaiMicky
Jun 18, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Comment #40DavidKelly9, a mare of a few days, sometimes here (regularly), you have to deal with Government Departments.
An example, I set up my UK Company in minutes and it cost me under £100. Here it’s taken me 6 weeks and cost me £9,000 or so, more time than you can possibly imagine, 8 separate trips to Gov Offices and eventually I’ve been told, yes, I can sell spoons here.
No wonder stuff is so expensive.
Jane, you’re disgusting, I used to see you as a foil for Justin Barnes (Jib), but you really aren’t, you’re just another of his schizoid personalities.