NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: How Dan Ashworth is getting revenge on his old club, what PIF spending cuts mean for NUFC and a Christmas bonus for fans
- The arrival of a senior analyst at Newcastle has been held up by Dan Ashworth
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Newcastle have been told that an incoming senior analyst must first complete a period of gardening leave at a rival club… and it’s Manchester United and Dan Ashworth making them wait.
Luke Dickson informed his Man United bosses that he wanted to quit to take up a key post within Eddie Howe’s first-team set-up earlier this year.
But Old Trafford chiefs, with Ashworth as sporting director, told the 28-year-old he could not start his new role on Tyneside until November.
This has been met with a sigh by some inside Newcastle, who see the move as a tit-for-tat response to Ashworth’s own attempts to leave St James’ Park in February. He was placed on gardening leave and only started at Man United in June after a compensation package was agreed. We understand that fee was around £3million.
Despite the money-saving job cuts being implemented by the new INEOS-led regime, it is said Berwick-raised Dickson will not receive any pay-off because he has chosen to leave for his boyhood club. Even so, after five years at the club as lead academy analyst, he is still being made to see out a contractual period of gardening leave.
The arrival of an analyst at Newcastle has been held up by former Magpies chief Dan Ashworth
Some inside Newcastle see the move as a tit-for-tat response to Ashworth’s own attempts to leave St James’ Park in February
Ashworth’s exit from Newcastle was acrimonious and Mail Sport revealed earlier this year how the-then sporting director sent an email in February to Omar Berrada - the incoming Man United chief executive - in which he made it clear he wanted to accept an offer of the same role at Old Trafford.
However, Ashworth sent a blind copy to his Newcastle email address before apparently realising the error and deleting the evidence. This alerted his employers to his clandestine talks and so began the drawn-out and frosty process of him leaving. It would appear relations have not thawed during the intervening months.
WHAT DO SAUDI CUTS MEAN FOR TOON?
The news this week that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cut international spending will have NO impact on Newcastle United, Confidential has been told.
Club chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced the investment percentage decrease from 30 to 18-20 at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, with a renewed focus on the domestic economy.
However, we understand that while the proportion of their foreign investment will go down, it will likely increase in actual monetary terms. Crucially, though, investment plans for established portfolio companies, such as Newcastle, remain the same.
PIF’s commitment to the project is absolute, sources insist, but fans and observers believe the level of their interest will only be gauged by the extent of the plans to redevelop St James’ Park or build a new stadium. Actions, as ever, will speak louder than words.
Club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cut international spending - with a renewed focus on the domestic economy
TRIPPS TRIP TO DUBAI
Kieran Trippier has sought to speed up his recovery from a hamstring injury by spending time in Dubai - but it is likely his return will be after the November international break.
The 34-year-old uses the NAS Sports Complex in the Emirate for fitness and rehab work and the club endorse a change of scenery during injury lay-offs.
Confidential revealed earlier this month that Trippier was set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering the muscle strain during the goalless draw at Everton.
There was some hope he could play before next month’s break - Newcastle entertain Arsenal on Saturday before travelling to Nottingham Forest a week on Sunday - but we understand no chances will be taken and he will instead step up his recovery at Benton during the two-week interval.
Given the impressive performances of Emil Krafth and Tino Livramento at right back during the last two matches, the need to push Trippier is not as great, even though he was playing his way back into form before the injury.
It's likely Kieran Trippier's return from injury will be after the November international break
‘BEEFING’ UP THE BACKROOM…
Eddie Howe has strengthened training ground morale by leading his backroom team and other staff on a trip to a local restaurant.
Geisha Asia is only a 10-minute walk from the club’s Benton base and the Toon contingent donned their civvies for the social excursion.
The restaurant’s ‘Bottomless Brunch’ isn’t really Howe’s thing - the head coach does not drink - but the eatery is winning rave reviews for its food, with the most expensive dish being the £18.50 Korean beef ribs.
Howe and Jason Tindall were in attendance and it is said the party were charming and happily posed for pictures during their stay.
Eddie Howe has strengthened training ground morale by leading his backroom team and other staff on a trip to a local restaurant
Geisha Asia, a Japanese-inspired restaurant, is a 10-minute walk from the club’s Benton base
WAITING GAME
This column reported last week how there was some irritation among Newcastle’s backroom at being made to wait a few minutes for Brighton to reappear after half-time this month.
Head of performance Dan Hodges was annoyed that players were left standing around before the start of the second half.
We cheekily advised that Newcastle should adopt that tactic themselves… and so on Wednesday night during the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea, it was interesting to note Newcastle emerging from the interval more than a minute after the Blues.
The dark arts were back and, later in the half, Nick Pope took a booking for delaying a Chelsea restart. It was good to see!
There was irritation among Newcastle’s backroom at being made to wait for Brighton to reappear after half-time in their clash earlier this month
FLAG BOTHER
The brilliant work of Wor Flags continues - but like those on the pitch, the team behind the displays will be looking to avoid a repeat of the Brighton game.
With another huge Premier League fixture this weekend when Arsenal come to town, Wor Flags are sure to have an inspirational offering in the stands.
However, the giant banner being unfurled before the Brighton defeat became tangled in the Leazes End and ended up in shape of a bow-tie!
As smart as that sounds, it isn’t the look Wor Flags are going for and measures will be put in place to avoid something similar happening this Saturday lunchtime.
DISAS-TER…
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi was among the alternative players put to Eddie Howe as the pursuit of Marc Guehi ran into trouble towards the end of the transfer window.
The Toon boss wasn’t keen, even though others inside St James’ Park thought he could be useful this season.
Well, when he put through his own net during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over the Blues, it turns out they were right!
Axel Disasi (right) endured a nightmare performance during Chelsea's visit to Newcastle
The French defender ended up putting the ball into his net during the Magpies' 2-0 victory
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CHRISTMAS BONUS
Newcastle’s bid to beat PSR continues, with a pop-up club shop set for Fenwick’s historic city centre store this Christmas.
From this Friday until January 31 there will be a Newcastle retail concession inside the Northumberland Street outlet for the very first time.
Given the club’s retail operation was taken over by former owner Mike Ashley, this is one area the new regime have identified as a means of substantial gain, evidenced by the new club store at St James’ Park which opened this week.
As for Fenwick, I spent hours in that place as a kid, being dragged between lighting and furniture and carpets. The reward for good behaviour was stopping by the old club shop on Prudhoe Place next to Haymarket bus station. At least now parents can marry the two…
Newcastle’s bid to beat PSR continues, with a pop-up club shop set for Fenwick’s historic city centre store this Christmas
TOON TEASER…
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… Can you name the ELEVEN players to have played for Newcastle and Chelsea since 1992 (must have made senior appearance). The answers were; Patrick van Aanholt, Demba Ba, Celestine Babayaro, Laurent Charvet, Damien Duff, Geremi, Lewis Hall, Kenedy, Scott Parker, Gavin Peacock and Loic Remy.
The one I could not remember was Kenedy, the guy with whom I spent an hour at a London restaurant for an interview whilst he was on loan at Newcastle!
This week’s question is - can you name the FIVE players to have played for Newcastle and Arsenal since 1992…
