From Benton training ground to Premier League contenders
Nearly four years on from the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, the club has undergone a transformation both on and off the field. Despite early fanfare and concerns over human rights implications, Eddie Howe and his team have steadily rebuilt a side that is now competing at the highest level in English football.
“When I first walked around the training ground, it was clear how much work was needed,” Howe reflected last week. Newcastle’s Benton base, described in a planning application as falling “significantly below Premier League—and perhaps even Championship—standards,” has since been modernized. Upgrades include hydrotherapy and plunge pools, a new canteen, larger dressing rooms, and a players’ lounge, ensuring the team has the facilities to match its ambitions.
On-field progress
The squad itself has evolved dramatically. Howe has overseen a team that ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup in March and has qualified for the Champions League in two of the past three seasons. Despite missing out on some summer targets and losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record £125m, Newcastle’s development has been steady.
Former winger Matt Ritchie highlighted the difference Howe brought: “The attention to detail, the preparation, and the desire to improve—these are all things that make Newcastle what they are now.” Howe himself emphasized the ongoing evolution: “The way we’re working behind the scenes is totally different… We need more, but things will change and gradually evolve over time.”
Off-field growth
Financially, Newcastle’s profile has surged. Revenue is expected to rise from £140m in 2021 to over £400m in the upcoming accounts, while staff numbers have more than doubled to 550. Investment has flowed into the academy, the women’s team, and day-to-day operations.
Yet, the wealth of the Saudi owners has not automatically translated into domination on the pitch. Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrict losses to £105m over a rolling three-year period, meaning Newcastle cannot simply outspend rivals like Manchester United, who generated record revenues of £666.5m last season.
“On paper, people assumed Newcastle would buy their way to the top,” said BBC Sport’s Charlotte Robson. “But the club has balanced smart recruitment with developing existing players, creating a strong culture around the squad.”
Navigating Premier League regulations
The takeover also stirred concern among rival clubs. An unnamed executive revealed that Newcastle’s acquisition “heightened” worries over potential Saudi-linked sponsorship deals, prompting a short-term push to tighten Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. These regulations remain in place, ensuring financial fairness while Newcastle continues to unlock its “under-realized commercial potential,” according to CEO David Hopkinson.
Hopkinson, formerly of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Real Madrid, aims to position Newcastle “among the world’s elite,” aligning with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and co-owner Jamie Reuben.
Controversy remains
Critics, including Amnesty International UK, caution that the club’s on-field ambitions cannot erase concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Felix Jakens commented, “Goals and glory are distracting from executions and repression.” Meanwhile, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah acknowledged the complexity: supporters benefit from the investment but have little say in ownership.
“How you balance money, success, and human rights is a question the Premier League continues to face,” she said.
Looking forward
While challenges remain—new training facilities, a permanent sporting director, and Premier League compliance—the Newcastle project is far from a conventional takeover story. On the pitch, Champions League nights, domestic trophies, and league progress are visible signs of transformation. Off it, revenue growth and modernized operations point to a club increasingly capable of competing at the highest levels, all under the watchful eye of global investors.
