October 7, 2021: A date that marked a turn in world football. That day, the acquisition of By an investment fund linked to the Saudi Arabia government, turning the English club into one of the richest on the planet. The negotiation was completed by approximately 300 million pounds (about $ 2.2 billion at the time).
On the day the magpies start a new chapter of their history with the beginning of 2025/26, o It presents an overview of the rise of the club in recent years, highlights the achievements already achieved and projects what may still be coming.
One of the most traditional in England ⚫⚪
Founded in 1881, the Newcastle United Football Club originated after the incorporation of two local clubs. Since then, it has been sending its games at the traditional St. James’ Park, a stadium located in the center of Newcastle Upon Tyne, in the English Northeast. With a current capacity for 52,305 spectators, it is considered one of the most emblematic stages of British football.
Throughout its history, the entity accumulates important achievements. He won the English Championship four times, as well as six Cups from England (FA Cup) and a League Cup. With this retrospective, it appears as the ninth club with the most titles in the English football scene.
Context 🤔
Newcastle was under the command of the British businessman Mike Ashley Between 2007 and 2021, a period that missed fans. During its management, the club faced years of sports stagnation, with no prospect of growth in the short or long term. The team was downgraded twice to the second division, accumulated campaigns erased in national competitions and had discreet performance in the transfer market. The scenario included increased debts and controversial proposals, such as the attempt to sell the Naming Rights of the traditional St. James’ Park – a measure that generated strong rejection of the fans.
Faced with management with management, Ashley put the club for sale on two occasions before 2021, both to no avail. Only in October of that year, the negotiation was realized with a consortium led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)Saudi state institution. Yasir Al-Rumayyanindicated in 2015 as governor of the bank by the prince heir Mohammad bin Salmanassumed as representative of the new administration.
The negotiations lasted 18 months and caused wide international repercussions. Entities such as Amnesty International criticized the operation, claiming that the country’s government used football as a tool to improve its global image. Despite the warnings, Premier League approved the transaction, as it had already done in previous cases involving Chelsea and Manchester City.
And in the field? ⚽
The moment Newcastle United was bought, the situation was delicate. Commanded by Steve Brucethe team occupied the penultimate place of Premier League and faced serious difficulties to score. The threat of relegation was real, and the club was at risk both sports and financial.
Newcastle’s turnaround began at the 2021/22 winter transfer window. Driven the Saudi investment, but without exorbitant values, he reinforced the cast with occasional hires to reverse the threat of relegation. The first name announced was the right-back Kieran Trippierplayer of the English national team. A few days later, the center forward Chris WoodClassic-Gol Man was also hired.
The reinforcement of the greatest impact, however, came in late January: the Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarãesformer athletic-PR and then on Lyon. Young, coach and with leadership profile, was presented as the main bet to reorganize the midfield and give stability to the team. To complete the list of reinforcements, the big defender And Burn It was also integrated into the cast.
Despite the important hiring, the most decisive change occurred outside the four lines. The board chose to change the technical command and appointed Eddie Howeformer Bournemouth, as a new coach. Recognized for the consistent work in the cherries, he was able to quickly transform the team’s performance. Newcastle have won 12 of the last 18 games and ended the season in 11th place. The campaign went to history as the first one in which a club avoided relegation at Premier League after not winning in the initial 14 rounds.
Joelinton 🟢🟡
It is noteworthy that Howe’s arrival at Newcastle’s technical command also transformed the trajectory of one of the Brazilians of the cast: Joelinton. Revealed by Sport and hired in 2019 as the most expensive player in the club’s history until then, he was a center forward of origin, but without meeting expectations. With the young coach, however, there was a significant change in their function.
Howe redesigned the role of Joelinton, who left the position of shirt 9 to establish himself as a midfielder. Acting as the second steering wheel, the Brazilian became a key piece in the defensive system, standing out for the disarms and combativity. In addition, it became an offensive surprise element, infiltrating the opposing area and contributing to physical presence and air play, consolidating itself as one of the staff’s tactical pillars.
In an exclusive interview with the bid! Granted in July, Joelinton revealed the backstage of the transition of position he experienced at the club. The Brazilian expressed gratitude to the coach for change, which he considered decisive for the rise of his career in English football. See the full interview below:
– I loved. I always enjoyed playing in the middle. When I went to Sport at the base, the scout took me from what I was doing in the middle. From the first day I arrived at Sport, the coach put me as a striker. I made all my career as a striker until this change came, but I was very happy when he saw that he could other things for the team. It was not living a good moment of attacker and I was super happy. I was always a little different from the other strikers. There are striker who is fominha, wants to make the goal all the time and my game has always been collective. If my companion were better positioned, I tried to do the pass, I never had a problem going back to mark and all this helped me in this transition to the middle. Changed my career. No time (I was afraid). I have never been to have a big ego, want to be better than anyone. I’m a humble guy. I embraced the idea and tried to work to play, perform the function and have been doing well, ”Joelinton explained to the bid!.
A new era 💸
In the seasons following the acquisition of Newcastle, the club’s sports project began to take shape and consistency. In the 2022/23 transfer window, promising talents were hired as Alexander Isaac, Sven Botman e Anthony Gordon. Under Howe’s command since the beginning of the period, the performance was significant: the club reached fourth place at the Premier League and reached the English League Cup final, being runner-up.
In 2023/24, the hiring profile was maintained, prioritizing players with development potential. Reinforcements arrived as Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali e Tino Livramento. The team again played a European competition, participating in the Champions League group stage, but was eliminated at this stage. In the domestic scenario, Newcastle reached the quarterfinals in both FA Cup and the League Cup, as well as ending the Premier League in the seventh place. It was also the season in which Alexander Isak consolidated himself as an absolute starter, ending the year with 25 goals scored.
The next season was marked by a more discreet approach in the transfer market. Since the beginning of the project, Newcastle has avoided exorbitant spending and hiring of great impact, opting for punctual and young investments with medium market values. This strategy is aligned with the new financial fair play rules, which aim to limit excessive club expenses recently acquired by major investors – a measure that has not impacted projects such as Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG in their early days.
Despite the contained stance, 2024/25 entered the club’s history. Newcastle finished the Premier League in fifth place, securing a place in the League 2025/26 Champions League League phase. The most striking moment, however, took place in the English League Cup final. On March 16, 2025, Newcastle beat Liverpool and won the first domestic title in 70 years. The cup was erected by Brazilian captain Bruno Guimarães, who became an idol of the magpies.
– We arrived better for this final than two years ago when we lost to United. The fans understood that previously we only talked about the final and we arrived without being at our best time. In this, we arrived super quiet, we did a good preparation and what Eddie goes to us is that each game is a game. We can’t be thinking about the next, you have to prepare for this game, this game is final. We prepare this way. Each game, each training was a final to get the best way. In the final, everyone was inspired and the party was immense, the fans, Wembley was beautiful and for me it is a great pride to be able to give them this title after everything I have ever been to the club. My name will now be marked forever, ”Joelinton revealed in an interview with Lance!, About the backstage of the historic league title.
2025/26: Optimism or pessimism? 👍👎
Newcastle starts the season under the euphoria of the historic feat at the League Cup. However, what should be a scenario of optimism and trust has become apprehended, in the face of rumors involving the team’s main player: 25-year-old Alexander Isak. Considered one of the best center forward in the world today, Swedish became Liverpool’s target in this transfer window and expressed the desire to transfer to the Anfield Club. The impact of the possible exit is deep, as Isak was a key piece in the last edition of the league, with 23 goals and six assists, as well as being the main symbol of the new billionaire era of the entity.
Despite the possible absence of the star, Newcastle remains firm in his sports affirmation project. With 132 years of history, the traditional club has faced ups and downs, but currently demonstrates strength and structure to walk a consistent path in the world’s most competitive league – especially with the robust financial investment it has had in recent years.
The first challenge of season 2025/26 will be this Saturday (16), at 8:30 am (Brasília time), against Aston Villa, at Villa Park. The match marks the beginning of another chapter in the club’s trajectory, which aims for higher flights and unpublished achievements, driven by a passionate crowd, which was more confident after last season – though not accommodated.
With a full -bodied cast and ambitious management, Newcastle aims not only stability, but the consolidation among the great of European football. The ceiling of this project is still uncertain, but the potential is undeniable.
“Not only changed Newcastle, but the city.” It is completely different. The club has grown and the fans deserve it. The fans suffered a lot from the previous management and have always been in love with the club, always supported. Being able to have their club back, the club that wants to grow every season… We know it takes time, it takes time, it is not easy to compete with the big ones, because there is still a difference in high values. But we classified for the second time for Champions, we won a title and hope that in a few years will be Premier League champion, a power in England and International Football – said Joelinton, about the change of Newcastle after the purchase of new owners in 2021, as well as expectation for the next steps.
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