Sky Sports have given a damning assessment of Newcastle United pre-season preparations.
The broadcaster publishing a review of each of the 20 clubs ahead of the big kick-off.
Sky Sports declaring: ‘Premier League season preview: Each club’s pre-season preparations analysed ahead of new campaign’s kick-off this Friday. How have all 20 Premier League sides’ pre-season preparations gone ahead of the new season? How ready are clubs for the new campaign?’
Well, it has been an ‘interesting’ summer for Newcastle United.
A summer that continues to be one of significant change on AND off the pitch.
Sky Sports beginning their Newcastle United review: ‘Eddie Howe called for this summer to be different for Newcastle. It certainly has been, though not quite how he intended.’
Well, I can’t disagree with any of that.
Sky Sports going on to say: ‘The now ex-head coach had hoped for early incomings and strong investment in a side which suffered after a messy transfer window 12 months ago but instead the loss of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali left the Magpies playing catch-up again while Bruno Guimaraes’ departure was the final straw for Howe to walk.’
Eddie Howe actually informed the club in early July that he was resigning, at least month before a deal was agreed to sell Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal.
Eddie Howe volunteering though to hold the fort until his replacement was ready to come in.
Sky Sports going on to say: ‘Matthias Jaissle, another graduate of the Red Bull franchise, replaced him with an expectation of attractive, attacking football but his more pressing concern will be that four of his five new signings, costing almost £140m combined, are aged 20 or under. That loss of experience on the pitch and in the dugout suggests another season of transition on Tyneside, but with the club still maintaining aims of a Premier League push within four years Jaissle and his players will have to come good sooner rather than later.’
The transfer window closes in exactly two weeks time at 11pm on Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Amar Dedic signed earlier today for around £30m, taking Newcastle United’s spending up to around £170m-£180m this summer.
However, more signings undoubtedly needed, especially at least one experienced midfielder to come in.