Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy has been speaking on a recent episode of NUFC Matters with Steve Wraith, in which he provided his view on Mike Ashley.
Kennedy spent a long time talking about all things related to Newcastle and, in particular, the proposed takeover by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium.
However, Kennedy also discussed Ashley’s future at NUFC and the supposed interest from American investor Henry Mauriss.
Here is what he had to say:
“What this Henry Mauriss thing to me proves, is that we are definitely in the Mike Ashley endgame.
“So, whether the Saudi bid goes through or not – which again, I hope it does – I believe Mike Ashley now, there have been doubts in the past whether he really wanted to sell; this is a massive inconvenience to him now.
“His baby, Sports Direct, is having its struggles, and that’s what has made him the man that he is today, and I don’t think he wants to see that struggle.”
It seems as if Kennedy believes that even if the Premier League rejects Staveley’s bid, this will be the end of Ashley at Newcastle.
Do you think this is the end of Ashley no matter what?
Yes, he will be gone
No, we could be stuck with him
TIF Thoughts…
Ashley has owned Newcastle for over 13 years now, so whatever the circumstances of his departure, it is sure to be a seismic change at the top for Newcastle.
Since his arrival in 2007, there have been numerous failed takeover attempts, but none have ever got to the stage that Staveley’s is at now.
It seems that he wants out, and he will possibly hope that if Staveley’s bid is rejected, he can agree a deal with Mauriss, who is thought to be waiting in the background.
Therefore, even if the Staveley bid is turned down by the PL, then Newcastle could still at least see the back of Ashley at some point in the not-too-distant future.