In late May, there was a claim from France that former PSG Sporting Director Antero Henrique was on the shortlist to become Newcastle’s new Sporting Director should the prospective new owners pass the Premier League’s fitness tests.
It’s now been two weeks since that report, and we still have heard precious little from the league on the state of Newcastle’s sale to the Amanda Staveley-led consortium.
However, Henrique’s name has surfaced once again in conjunction with Newcastle’s takeover. Sport Witness is citing claims from the French outlet RMCSport that Henrique has been contacted by our prospective new ownership group about a role at St James Park.
The 52-year-old Henrique (pictured above) left Paris Saint-Germain last June after two successful years as the club’s Sporting Director. He had previously spent a decade in a similar role in his native Portugal with Porto.
Since leaving PSG, Henrique has been linked with Manchester United. However, the RMCSport claims that he could be tempted to come to Tyneside.
The report says that the potential new owners have spoken to Henrique about becoming Newcastle’s new transfer guru, a role he has had success with at both PSG and Porto.
This all sounds outstanding to us. However, we need to get this takeover approved before any of these enticing new additions being targeted can start to arrive.
165 comments so far
The Hit Man & Her
Jun 7, 2020 at 11:26 PM
Comment #81I think the worst scenario is the one where it never got past a good faith deposit to see the ledgers phase.
And that there was never actually anything for anyone to get all worked up about. And that we were all had.
Again.
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 11:33 PM
Comment #82Ive still got hope, The Reubens would of denied any links, like they did last year, but they hav,nt this time.
If it had been blocked we would know about it in no time at all.
They say there is no time limit for how long the checks should take, well this is week 9, next Friday is my cut off point.
ctommo
Jun 7, 2020 at 11:45 PM
Comment #83I do believe that the takeover is ongoing. Way too much drama and rubbish spoken for this to be a pr move. It will happen
And if toon22 is right and it’s another fake over, then he’s right again, it’ll be the end for Ashley and for Newcastle United.
NY Mag
Jun 8, 2020 at 12:17 AM
Comment #84ctommo,
I understand what you’re saying, and there would be huge, huge disappointment. But the end of Newcastle United – no, sorry that’s going to happen.
The Prince's Mate
Jun 8, 2020 at 12:19 AM
Comment #85WLtoon… Have faith, it WILL happen…. well, that’s the last of the Ballantines, night all
NY Mag
Jun 8, 2020 at 12:26 AM
Comment #86Whoops,
“Not”….pretty critical to what I was trying to say
lesh
Jun 8, 2020 at 2:15 AM
Comment #87Anglo
To answer your question, yes and no.
I was born in Newcastle and lived there till 2000 when I moved to the south coast.
However, I’d worked in Hebburn for near 30 years and have some appreciation of the area south of the river and its economic problems over the years
An indication of local politics I’d heard about:
A project was set up to help young people into work and it involved building a boat in Hebburn. It involved lads from Jarrow too.
Hebburn lad to project manager: ‘Is this a Hebburn boat or a Jarrow boat?’
PM: ‘Well, it’s a Hebburn boat I suppose. Why’d you ask?’
Jarrow lad to PM: ‘Well, if it’s a Hebburn boat, why’s them Jarra lads working on it?’
Priceless but true.
lesh
Jun 8, 2020 at 2:19 AM
Comment #88NY Mag
””Not”….pretty critical to what I was trying to say’
Well retrieved.
😉
I hope you’re well, safe and enjoying the summer so far. It seems we all need to escape to some quiet place, far from the madding crowd.
Take care young fella and I’ll bid you good day.
lesh
Jun 8, 2020 at 2:22 AM
Comment #89Anglo
An important correction:
* Hebburn lad to PM: ‘Well, if it’s a Hebburn boat, why’s them Jarra lads working on it’s
Hebburn makes all the difference!
Whoops.
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 8, 2020 at 2:39 AM
Comment #90Here I am again, apologies for the monotony!
Project Zebra – BOOM
Sav
Jun 8, 2020 at 2:41 AM
Comment #91Henry Mauriss’ lawyers should advise their client he was too bloody slow to get his bid in. And why would Staveley want PSG’s Sporting Director when she can snuggle up with a class act like Penfold? Almost 60 days of takeover lockdown…zzzz.
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 5:51 AM
Comment #92Another week dawns, could it be? Maybe? Probably? Not a cat in hell’s chance?
Rinse/repeat.
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 6:18 AM
Comment #93Six o’clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin’ Mandy Staveley
By a black and white stripey stream
Why’ve we gotta wait
Cause we’re sick of all that clickbait
These are the days
When you wish the FA wouldn’t be late
It’s just another manic Monday
I wish it was #cansday
‘Cause that’s the fun day
The Toons party day
But it’s just another repeat Monday
I’m no song meister lol
Optimistic prime
Jun 8, 2020 at 6:21 AM
Comment #94Tomorrow’s the day according to Elvis, although he was pissed on Buckfast when he told me.
Bambams
Jun 8, 2020 at 6:53 AM
Comment #95DubaiMicky
You dont say fella !
Made me smile mate.
🙂
Bambams
Jun 8, 2020 at 6:54 AM
Comment #96Still no denials and fat Ash would love nothing more than blaming Stavely at the first chance.
This is keeping me hopeful
Jib
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:01 AM
Comment #97With 27 points still up for grabs , it is still mathematically possible
for NUFC to qualify for Europe.
hibbit
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:06 AM
Comment #98baby steps first Jib, staying up is the first target anything else is a bonus !!!
Shoulders knees
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:10 AM
Comment #99Morning all, going by how busy the blog is, I think people aren’t expecting any news this week either.
hibbit
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:12 AM
Comment #100#takeoverfatigue
MagpieRanger
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:22 AM
Comment #101I think this takeover saga will be drawn out until at least July. Mike Ashley wants one more lot of season ticket payments before we hear the inevitable bad news… Anyone fancy a bet?
Shoulders knees
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:23 AM
Comment #102Hibbit
I think that’s right we have been worn down by it all.
Jib
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:30 AM
Comment #103In my opinion , the lack of action on the ST front is one of the things that confirms a takeover is happening .
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:30 AM
Comment #104https://theathletic.com/1854065/2020/06/08/saudi-arabia-piracy-tv-rights-premier-league-newcastle-united/
Worth a read
Shoulders knees
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:33 AM
Comment #105Jib
That’s a good point, I think it will happen , just when?
Bonus is my phone battery lasts longer this last week without all that refreshing 😉
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:34 AM
Comment #106Since news of Saudi Arabia’s interest in Newcastle broke in January, the Premier League has been caught in an almost impossible position.
If it lets Saudi’s Public Investment Fund become the majority owner at St James’ Park, it risks cutting adrift a company that has invested £1.3 billion in English football since 2015, at a time when the game needs that money more than ever, as well as compromising everything the league has stood for and defended for nearly three decades.
Mattroge
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:35 AM
Comment #107The most frustrating thing for me is that there is no transparency with the process or accountability on the Premier League’s behalf. We don’t know when the tests started. You have the Premier League saying that there’s no time limit on it. Quite ridiculous.
It’s very easy to become skeptical and say “another fakeover” but I think it’s undeniable that this deal has reached the Premier League and when it’s got to that stage everything has been signed and agreed. We just need to hang in there.
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:37 AM
Comment #108If it blocks the takeover, it risks the mother of all legal battles against an opponent fuelled by the world’s second-largest oil reserves, a political battle with a post-B****t UK government keen to keep the kingdom onside and fury from Newcastle’s fanbase.
It will also lose its best chance to close beoutQ once and for all.
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:40 AM
Comment #109Just putting in the odd snippet:-
Sources have told The Athletic the crux of the delay is this: the Premier League cannot see a way to sanction the deal without Saudi Arabia unblocking beIN Sports, shutting down beoutQ and opening up its courts.
Mattroge
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:41 AM
Comment #110Micky, there’s no way this will be blocked in my opinion. First of all it appears due to the O and D rules there’s no way that they can and secondly the fall-out would be too great if they rejected it.
DubaiMicky
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:49 AM
Comment #111Finally a way forward:-
One source described the situation as a “potential disaster that could become the biggest win-win in history” if the league can persuade the Saudis to properly crack down on beoutQ, lift its blockade of beIN and allow its lawyers to take custom from aggrieved overseas rights-holders.
The sequence of events would be something along the lines of usual suspects being rounded up in Riyahd, a warehouse full of electronic equipment will be raided, the Saudi government gets the credit, beIN is begrudgingly allowed to operate again and MBS gets his Premier League billboard and investment opportunity.
And then, when the Premier League’s Middle East and North African broadcast rights become available again in 2022, a legitimate Saudi Arabian sports broadcaster can give beIN a run for its money in the auction, creating genuine competition in the region and very probably driving the price up.
Jib
Jun 8, 2020 at 7:51 AM
Comment #112I think beIN have dropped a major bollock in turning this
take over into a tv rights issue.
It’s well know that TV companies in both France and Italy
are not happy with beIN media and the USA’s leading sports
broadcasters have their doubts about them.
They may seriously regret opening this can of worms
Jail for Ashley
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:12 AM
Comment #113In other news, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson took a stroll round their Pacific Palisades neighbourhood giving local police ample opportunity to seize and arrest the fugitive. Tom Hanks, remains at liberty.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:13 AM
Comment #114Tom Hanks was wearing a bandana face covering mind, maybe that’s how he eluded arrest.
Northumbrian
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:17 AM
Comment #115Morning all, big few weeks for citeh coming up.
Its reckoned that if they lose this appeal that’ll be the breakup of their team as most of they’re superstars will want European football.
Jib
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:31 AM
Comment #116Ciaran Kelly
Chronicle
PCP Capital Partners’ £1.6bn claim against Barclays listed to start at the High Court today at 10.30am. Will take place in person in the Rolls Building and will be heard before Mr Justice Waksman. Barclays accused of alleged deceit in relation to emergency fundraising in 2008.
Jib
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:33 AM
Comment #117I like this graphic
Munster Mag
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:35 AM
Comment #118So the takeover looks like it could drag on for ages ffs. Can we not just give Mikey the 17m and stick with Charnley and him, you know, the old brigade, the comfort blanket? 🙂
Munster Mag
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:37 AM
Comment #119Jeez poor Amanda, the stress must be awful for the poor woman.
ScoopSouthAfrica
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:44 AM
Comment #120Could the EPL procrastination be about to end…..
Ah went to Blaydon Races, ‘twas on the ninth of Joon,
In eighteen hundred an’ sixty-two, on a summer’s efternoon.
Tomorrow is the 9th of June will it be D day for the takeover?
Then I woke up it was only a pipedream….