Newcastle United receive Yasir Al-Rumayyan & PIF boost as £200m move already approved
Newcastle United were lifted by Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PIF’s attendance against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Jamie Reuben watched on as Newcastle United ended their five-match losing streak with a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Al Rumayyan and a delegation from majority owners, The Public Investment of Saudi Arabia, arrived in the North East 48 hours earlier for an annual board meeting at Northumberland country hotel Matfen Hall.
As part of the agenda, head coach Eddie Howe presented to the board and is understood to retain their full support following what has been a disappointing Premier League campaign.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
And that stance was aided by the win over Brighton, as the Magpies won for the first time in almost two months to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Heading into the remaining three matches of the season, Howe’s side sit 13th, six points below seventh and five points below eighth, which will open up as a European qualification spot if the FA Cup winner - Manchester City or Chelsea - finish inside the top seven.
Newcastle United lifted by PIF attendance
Al-Rumayyan attended his first St James’ Park game since the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in August and Howe admitted his presence gave him and the players a lift.
“Yeah, I think it does [give us a lift],” Howe told The Gazette, “That unity that you have from a football club, from top to bottom, as strong as that can be, the better the football club will be, in my opinion.
“They don't have to be here every day to run a football club. They have people here that do that job for them but they are very committed, they are very hands-on, and they've got big, ambitious plans for the football club. That's never changed. They've never deviated from that.
“I think they care about the football club and they care about the players. But when they come, it is nice, it's different. It feels like we're really together.”
Al-Rumayyan addressed the squad in the dressing room at full-time to reaffirm his and PIF’s commitment to the club.
Howe said: “He spoke with the players after the game and spoke really well about his plans for the future and how committed he and everyone are to the football club, long-term growth and exciting times ahead. So that was great to see.
“They've been very supportive and it was great to see everyone together united in the dressing room.”
Newcastle United training ground and stadium plans
Newcastle owners have already approved a £200million budget for a new state-of-the-art training ground. Following last week’s meetings, it is hoped that those plans can be announced soon.
As widely reported, the Magpies are set to purchase a large site at Woolsington, near Newcastle airport, which was previously owned by former Toon owner Sir John Hall.
Meanwhile, discussions continue to take place on whether to expand St James’ Park or build a new stadium.