Thirteen months ago, Newcastle fans were pinching themselves when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought the club.
That made it the world’s richest football club, but Eddie Howe, who came in shortly after the new regime took over, has shaped a winning team thanks to players who were there before the new owners.
While it is true that Howe spent £200 million over the transfer windows in January and August, he was ‘forced’ to do so as the core of Newcastle’s squad had remained unchanged since its promotion in 2017 due to the lack of investments by previous owner, Mike Ashley.
While spending wisely, Howe kept the old guard around, and six players in the team that defeated Tottenham 2-1 two weeks ago were at the club before the so-called ‘oil money’ arrived.
Malaysian fan Kenneth Tan, who has supported the club since the mid-1990s, said Newcastle’s success is down to Howe.
“Eddie Howe has been the most important signing for Newcastle. He is the ‘love child’ of King Midas and ‘King’ Kevin Keegan – combining a messianic quality with an alchemical touch,” said Tan of Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce on Nov 8, 2021.
“I would rate the two transfer windows combined at 16 out of 10! Incredibly, we managed to unearth many great gems.
“We did not have (sporting director Dan) Ashworth for the January window. It was phenomenal that Newcastle signed the rich man’s Bruno (Guimaraes) at a poor man’s transfer fee.”
Guimaraes signed for £40 million in January. The Brazilian midfielder has been pivotal in Newcastle’s rise and is now valued at £100 million.
Asked about Public Investment Fund, Tan, 42, said it brought excitement and relief to the club, while the fans are inspired because they have a bright future.
“The club is now on a solid footing because of them,” said the editor of Robb Report Malaysia.
Newcastle is fourth in the English Premier League with 24 points from 13 matches, and travels to Southampton on Sunday (10pm) for this week’s round of games.
Newcastle then hosts Chelsea on Nov 13 (1.30am), before the mid-season break for the FIFA World Cup.
Tan said the break would be good if Newcastle had more players in Qatar as they would come back as “bona fide Galacticos”, although he is praying none get injured.
“I have no worries about losing steam as in ‘Wor’ (our) Eddie We Trust!”
Asked why he started supporting the Magpies, Tan said he was mesmerised by Keegan’s team that went toe-to-toe with Manchester United in the mid-1990s.
Although Newcastle fell short, Tan’s love for the club remained, and he has visited St James’ Park twice.
“I watched them beat Leeds 4-3 in 2001 and draw 4-4 with Arsenal 10 years later,” said Tan, from Penang.
“We could have beaten Arsenal 5-4. People forget that Leon Best had a chance to clinch the winner.
“Barring a string of terrible injuries or dodgy pasta, no offence to Tottenham fans, I would say we can comfortably finish among the top six, as Mohamed Salah is much more into belly dancing!”
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (11pm)
Wolves vs Brighton (11pm)
Manchester City vs Fulham (11pm)
Leeds vs Bournemouth (11pm)
SUNDAY
Everton vs Leicester (1.30am)
Chelsea vs Arsenal (8pm)
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (10pm)
Southampton vs Newcastle (10pm)
West Ham vs Crystal Palace (10pm)
MONDAY
Tottenham vs Liverpool (12.30am)
