Newcastle takeover: Fresh claim emerges on new Magpies owners involving Manchester City | OneFootball

Newcastle's new owners are planning to invest in the local community as well as in the football club, just like Manchester City's owners have done, according to Newcastle World journalist Liam Kennedy.

The Saudi-led consortium officially completed their takeover of the Magpies today, ending Mike Ashley's time on Tyneside, which started in 2007.

What have Man City's owners done during their tenure at the club?

Since buying City in 2008, the club's Abu Dhabi owners have certainly made their mark.

On the pitch, the team have gone from strength to strength, winning five league titles, two FA Cups, and the League Cup on six occasions.

.

What has Kennedy said about Newcastle's new owners?

Kennedy expects the consortium to follow in City's footsteps and look to develop the local area, while also trying to improve the side's fortunes in the Premier League. He believes that these plans have been in place for some time now, and claims that Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund (PIF) are still committed to following through with their initial ideas despite the takeover being delayed for over a year.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Kennedy said: “It’s my understanding that the plans haven't changed at all. I believe that the plans were worked on, they were ready, there was plans for a big announcement.

“And it was going to be a wide range, and it was going to be a lot more. I would describe it as a Man City lite in some ways.”

Newcastle takeover COMPLETE?! Follow historic moment for Toon Army on The Football Terrace...

Is it important that PIF invest in the community as well?

First and foremost, it seems likely that the people of Newcastle simply want to have a team that they can get behind at St James' Park, so they will be hoping that PIF can give them that.

1 of 15

Who did Newcastle sign Martin Dubravka from?

Slavia Prague Sparta Prague Hadjuk Split NK Maribor

It has been a miserable period for Newcastle under Ashley, with the team consistently finishing in the bottom half or being relegated, while they have never seriously challenged for a trophy.

This takeover appears to have given the fans fresh hope, and if the new owners are also willing to help out in the local community then this could lift the supporters even more. This could convince them that PIF are not just interested in chucking money at a football club; they want to build something special that the whole city can be proud of.