Former Newcastle United director of football Dennis Wise has given the controversial opinion that Magpies owner Mike Ashley does not get enough credit for what he has done for the club.
The Sports Direct supremo has come under heavy fire from the Toon Army during his tenure in charge, with manager Rafael Benitez also vocalising his frustrations at not being backed by the businessman during the likes of the transfer window.
However, Wise, who spent less than a year in his role at St James’ Park, insisted he deserved more recognition for the money he has invested, claiming he has put £250million into the club, as well as managing to get Benitez in as manager.
Speaking on beIN Sports, he said: “They’re complaining he made money over the transfer window – what’s wrong with that? That is part and parcel of the business.
“People haven’t really credited Mike (Ashley) for bringing Rafa in, I thought it was a fantastic masterstroke. He’s got that club in a comfortable position – yes he’s got in a problem with the fans because they don’t like him.
“When he took over, there was a lot of debt in that football club. He’s put a quarter of a billion pounds into the club from day one. That football club is in a lot better position than what it was.
"He's put a quarter of a billion pounds into that club!"@denniswise gives a rousing defence of @NUFC owner Mike Ashley.#beINPL #CARNEW pic.twitter.com/Q6JDV7DURt
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 18, 2018
Opinion
Bold claims coming out from Wise and you can be certain that the Toon Army will not see it that way. The claims about him investing £250million into the club are obviously a massive suggestion but what Wise fails to take into account is how little of that has been on the things that really matter. Where is the money in the first team squad? Where is the money in the training facilities? Ashley is running the club like a business and while he is well within his rights to do so, it does nothing to further the club in the Premier League and leaves them vulnerable to losing their top stars – not to mention manager Rafael Benitez. Many will think Ashley has got enough credit for bringing the Spanish boss to the club and now they want to see him get the former Liverpool and Real Madrid man pen a new deal at St James’ Park. Only then might the Toon Army might be happy.