How Mike Ashley Almost Appointed Mikel Arteta as Newcastle Manager
Newcastle United supporters might find this difficult to believe, but Mike Ashley came very close to appointing Mikel Arteta as manager in 2019, months before the Spaniard took charge at Arsenal.
New details published yesterday reveal that Ashley was so determined to bring Arteta to St James' Park that he was prepared to offer him an exceptionally long contract, despite the fact that he had never managed a first team.
And perhaps most surprisingly, Arteta was seriously tempted by the opportunity.
Why Did Arteta Turn Newcastle Down?
According to Telegraph journalist Sam Dean, writing in his new book Arsenal: The Inside Story of Arsenal's Rebirth Under Mikel Arteta, Newcastle made a determined attempt to recruit Arteta following Rafael Benítez's departure in the summer of 2019.
At the time, Arteta was working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and was widely regarded as one of the game's most promising young coaches.
Newcastle had finished 13th in the Premier League, comfortably avoiding relegation, and the prospect of managing a club with such passionate supporters clearly appealed to him.
However, there were some serious obstacles.
Why Did Arteta Turn Ashley Down?
Firstly, Arteta would have been replacing the hugely popular Benítez while working under an owner who had become deeply unpopular with Newcastle supporters.
Then there was the squad itself.
Ayoze Pérez had been sold to Leicester City, while Salomón Rondón had departed following his successful loan spell.
Between them, the two players had scored 23 of Newcastle's 42 Premier League goals the previous season.
Perhaps most importantly, Arteta was reportedly unable to assemble the coaching team he wanted to bring to Tyneside.
Although only Arteta can confirm precisely why he rejected the opportunity, these difficulties appear to have played a significant part.
Despite an apparently very attractive offer and a long term contract Ashley failed to secure Arteta's signature.
Ashley eventually appointed Steve Bruce, while Arteta remained at Manchester City until Arsenal came calling in December 2019.
Seven years later, Arteta has established himself as one of Europe's leading managers, guiding Arsenal to FA Cup success, the Premier League title and a Champions League final.
Of course, there's no guarantee Arteta would have enjoyed similar success under Ashley's ownership. In fact, I very much doubt he would have got anywhere near.
The financial restrictions, recruitment problems and general atmosphere surrounding the club were very different from the circumstances he eventually enjoyed at Arsenal.
Arteta's managerial inexperience would have been a gamble at the time and why Ashley was apparently interested and determined to get him to SJP is a mystery.
His appointment eventually worked out at Arsenal but not before he rode out a rocky few years when Arsenal failed to live up to the expectations their fans were demanding.
Arteta's touchline antics and 'bad loser' tag have made him unpopular with many oppo fans and especially among Toon fans who laughed at his 'wrong type of ball' excuse for Arsenal's defeat on our march to winning the LC in 2025.
It just goes to show though...
We never really get to know everything that it is going on behind the scenes.
Who knows what we still might not know or what plots may lie ahead to be uncovered after event.
Newcastle Summer Signings 2026/27 – Stats & Verdict | NUFCBlog
@Lochinvar
Lewis Hall is an extremely talented young player and he’s our player! He has signed a long contract (fact)! The only reason he could/would be sold would be financial.
Along with every other single Newcastle United supporter I would be absolutely gutted if he were allowed to leave!
Let’s hope this story is, in fact, newspaper Shite!
No coach with any ambition would have signed up to join us after Rafa left. Arteta might be a pri*k but he’s not stupid. He’d have been given hardly any funds to improve the squad and would have failed.
On booing. Reprehensible behaviour in my view, unless it’s directed at owners you want out. I would never boo the players. The only exception would be if they have disrespected the fans or the club. But once you’ve boo’d youre essentially saying I want you gone.
Not applauding the team is ok as that sends a message that we’re not happy.
I think Jassile needs to stop playing Miley at right-back, as he is beginning to look exposed out there because of the way this bloke wants to play his football.
Never knowingly boo’d the lads. Didn’t hang around to applaud them either mind.