Newcastle United’s sensational return to form continues, and last Sunday, they created a highlight for the ages.
The Magpies are currently in dreamland, having been restored to their former glory following a financial takeover by a consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, RB Sports and Media and PCP Capital Partners.
Aside from pumping in sizable riches, the new owners have also brought an air of solidity through the newly-established administrative structures.
From the appointment of Eddie Howe to the newly-recruited personnel in charge of transfer market activity, it’s all ticking like clockwork at St James’ Park.
Recognizing the importance of a strong relationship with the fans, the new regime has also done well to keep the communication lines open, primarily through individual efforts by the more public members of the consortium.
Take club executive Amanda Staveley for instance, who has marked her presence at Newcastle games home and away throughout the season.
She’s also had meaningful interactions with the Toon Army along the way, which does a lot for establishing strong relations.
Co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has also been playing his part as a public representative of the administration, and a clip featuring him and the Newcastle players recently went viral online.
Captured after the Magpies’ made history at home by thrashing Tottenham 6-1, the clip displays Ghodoussi’s sheer passion for the club alongside his bond with the dressing room.
Unlike most billionaire-turned-club-owners, Mehrdad opted to personally congratulate the players on their sensational victory, and he didn’t wait until they got to the locker room either.
As seen in the clip, he met the players right after full-time as they were leaving the pitch.
He went on to embrace every individual member of the Newcastle squad, including gaffer Eddie Howe.
The gesture looked far from a formality, as the players seemed genuinely happy to meet the owner.
He also offered a congratulatory remake to everyone, and all in all, the gesture is an apt representation of the administration’s approach to ownership.
Instead of adopting the ‘hyper-wealthy billionaires lurking behind the scenes’ approach or going in the ‘extremely hands-on’ direction, Newcastle’s owners appear to have found a solid middle-ground.
Given the side’s successes on the pitch and the positive relationship with the owners, there’s plenty of harmony coursing throughout the club at the moment.
The administration had already won over the fans, and judging by the clip, the players seemed thrilled as well.
The clip itself left Georides online delighted, and they made sure to express their approval of Mehrdad’s gesture.
They also pointed fingers towards former owner Mike Ashley, who rarely afforded such a gesture towards the fans, let alone the players.
Nevertheless, the club finally appears to be in the right hands.
