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| Eddie Howe |
The intent heading into the summer was clearly to complement Isak’s quality up front. Callum Wilson was a non-factor last season, scoring just a single league goal, and has now departed after a five-year, injury plagued run on Tyneside. Should Isak leave, the club could be looking for two replacements up front in a market which has largely been picked over already.
An unstable management situation does not provide a lot of optimism. The club is operating this summer without a permanent sporting director after Paul Mitchell left at the end of June after less than one year in his position. Mitchell had filled a sporting director vacancy created when predecessor Dan Ashworth was put on “gardening leave” prior to a messy departure to Manchester United. In addition to Mitchell’s departure, CEO Darren Eales, who joined the club in 2022, has also announced he will be stepping down to deal with personal health issues. Recruitment, meanwhile, is currently in the hands of former Mitchell subordinates Steve Nickson and Andy Howe, the nephew of Manager Eddie Howe. Family ties have not prevented Manager Howe from being understandably vocal on the lack of success in this summer’s market.
The Toon Army is unhappy as well with supporters even calling for the return of former owner Amanda Stavely. The English businesswoman was a key driver of the 2021 purchase of the club from former owner Mike Ashly to a consortium dominated by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Staveley fronted that takeover and was actively involved in transfer negotiations and importantly developed personal relationships with some of the key stars, including Isak. Purportedly, Stavely had spoken with Isak on a new contract before she and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi shockingly divested their ownership interest in the club and departed a year ago. Mitchell subsequently halted any talk of a new contract for Isak due to Profit and Sustainability concerns. Bad feelings ensued. Isak wants to play for big trophies and is probably a bit disillusioned with the top-level changes at the club and a perceived lack of vision.
Newcastle’s most important player is currently training on his own in Spain at his former club Real Sociedad while his teammates are on tour in Asia. Newcastle, for its part, remains adamant that Isak, with three years left on his current contract, is not for sale. An unhappy star, however, can be fatal to a club’s morale and performance and everyone has a price.
Liverpool’s first bid for the player was rejected this week. It is likely not the last bid from the recently free spending Reds and other suitors may well come to the fore now that the schism between Newcastle and its star is known. There has been rumored interest already from Saudi Arabia though Isak reportedly prefers the chance to compete for major European trophies. While claiming publicly that it will not sell Isak, the club has no choice but to explore other options. Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig striker who has recently been linked with a Manchester United move, is one possibility. Brentford’s Yoanne Wissa is another name.
Trying to hold it all together now for the Magpies is Manager Eddie Howe. The former Bournemouth manager did a masterful job of turning things around last season when the club stumbled from the gate in league play and players were unnerved by the Stavely exit. The Magpies recovered in magnificent fashion to capture fourth place and a Champions League invitation. Even more exhilarating for the Toon Army was winning the Carabao Cup, capturing Newcastle’s first domestic cup in 70 years. Howe can now use some help bolstering his squad to contend with the demands of both Premier League and Champions League competition this season. The last thing he needs is the loss of 23 goals from last season’s Premier League roster as the Magpies prepare for their August 16th league opener at Aston Villa.
