'I've been on the fence about this in recent weeks...': Newcastle United takeover verdict, potential changes and Project Restart

In our regular Toon Trending Topic Q&A, writers Liam Kennedy and Jordan Cronin talk over the priorities of the new owners at United, with confirmation imminent, as well as assessing who is best to lead United on and off the pitch moving forward.

What is the first priority of Newcastle's new owners?

LK: “Make the right appointments in the right positions. This might be a bit of a broad brush aim but I think it is integral to success – and something Mike Ashley failed to do from the very off. We went from talk of David Dein to Dennis Wise under Ashley. Appointments which required footballing expertise turned into ‘jobs for the boys’ and ultimately sent the club on a downward spiral which Ashley, at first, did not know how to control, went on to exacerbate and then latterly did not have the will arrest.

JC: “Reconnecting the fans with the football club. For 13 years, United fans have been treated like an undervalued customer in one of Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct stores simply because he couldn’t grasp why football is more just a retail business that he is so used to running. I don’t think it’ll take much to get the fans back onside either, all the new owners need to do is give the club the love and attention it deserves and has been starved of by being transparent about the plans they have. Hope? Ambition? Excitement? Feeling included? Every fan has forgotten what that feels like.”

What is the most important change you'd like to see?

LK: “Infrastructure improvements. These are the building blocks which have for too long been overlooked. They are what contributes to success on the field and off it. And spending money on facilities, whether it be the stadium, training ground or other things such as club shops or supporter pubs or whatever – these are the things that will remain even after the owners who foot the bill have gone.”

JC: “To compete at the top you need to invest in top players, so that is obviously important but that is something that will happen over time. We’re all aware of the outdated training ground but if we’re talking short term - and this kind of ties in with reconnecting with the fans - bridges must be built with club legends. I hope I speak on behalf of fans when I say the likes Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan should be presented on the St James’s Park pitch when supporters can finally step foot back into the stadium.”

Who do you believe will be the best manager to take Newcastle United forward?

LK: “I’ve been on the fence about this in recent weeks but I think I’ve finally come around to who I’d like to see in the hotseat… And unfortunately it’s not Steve Bruce. Only one man could really hit the ground running at United and his name is Rafa Benitez. I’ve seen up close the meticulous planning, the clear sense of direction, the hard work, everything that Benitez brings to the table. He wanted to rebuild the club up from its roots but was hamstrung by Mike Ashley. I want him to have a chance to finish what he started. And I don’t buy into the narrative the football was rubbish – it was a style derived of the limited tools at his disposal. I have no doubt he’d be able to forge a winning football mentality at United given another shot, not just the stay up and survive stuff of before.”

JC: “I have felt for Bruce throughout the takeover process and I think he deserves credit for the way he has conducted himself but I’m not sure the new owners view him as their long-term appointment. We talk about a ‘five-year plan’ or something along those lines - ideally the first managerial appointment will be someone who will grow with the club. Two names who fit that bracket - Rafa Benitez and Mauricio Pochettino. Unlike Liam, I’m sitting on the fence... I’d be happy with either. That said, it could be someone completely different.”

Is it important NUFC remain at St James's Park or would you be open to a move?

LK: “I’d personally hate to leave SJP. It feels like such an integral part of the football club as a whole. It is our Mecca, our place of worship and I would not want for that to change. But if a considered argument was put forward presenting that, in order to progress, the football club must re-home, I think we’d all have to listen. One thing is for sure, you’re not going to be able to get a ticket for love nor money with 52,000 seats, when crowds can return.”

JC: “Several things need to change at the football club but St James’s Park is definitely not one of them (apart from binning those awful Sports Direct signs). Without sounding biased, it is one of the best stadiums in the country and wouldn’t look out of place on any stage. That said, I can’t help but feel Ashley’s decision to sell Strawberry Place restricts its development. If re-homing elsewhere brings a bigger and better Newcastle United then I’d have to bite the bullet.”

And finally, do you believe the Premier League will restart next month?

LK: “Yes. I certainly hope it does. While I am supportive of players, who for their own reasons, decide it is not safe to return and choose not to do so, I think there is unlikely be a safer environment to return to work for anyone in the UK. Regular tests, strict rules and protocols as well as a sanitised working environment will not be the type of things greeting many on their return to the workplace. Premier League football returning is not life and death, but we all have to get back to some form of normality at some point – and this seems like one of the safest steps along the way. I do have no doubt there will be the odd bump in the road between now and mid-June.”

JC: “If I was asked this last week I would have said absolutely no chance but now I’m definitely more upbeat that it will restart. The protocols put in place by the Premier League and clubs sound incredibly safe and most players have spoken positively about it. Ultimately, the players and staff are key to this now - it is up to them to stick to the rules away from the training ground.”