3 months ago
Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has insisted the club's long-term project under the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ownership remains fully backed by the Saudi group, dismissing suggestions that ambition has faded behind the scenes following a disastrous last season and a turbulent summer of high-profile departures.
Speaking to The Athletic, Hopkinson rejected the idea that Newcastle's rebuild signals a retreat under PIF, saying the owners are driving what he has repeatedly described as "Newcastle 2.0."
"Not only is PIF committed to Newcastle 2.0, they demand it," Hopkinson said. "The ambition I've articulated has been generated in concert with the owners. I refer to the owners there because it's not exclusively PIF, but also the Reuben family."
Hopkinson also revealed how involved Newcastle's owners remain behind the scenes.
"I talk to our owners multiple times a day," he said. "They commit time, energy, people, resources, consulting, advice. They are the most leaned-in owners I've ever worked with. All they want to know is how they can help. They challenge our thinking and push us. They're absolutely extraordinary partners. There's no one that wants to see Newcastle 2.0 succeed more than they do."
#newcastle #behind #united #public
Speaking to The Athletic, Hopkinson rejected the idea that Newcastle's rebuild signals a retreat under PIF, saying the owners are driving what he has repeatedly described as "Newcastle 2.0."
"Not only is PIF committed to Newcastle 2.0, they demand it," Hopkinson said. "The ambition I've articulated has been generated in concert with the owners. I refer to the owners there because it's not exclusively PIF, but also the Reuben family."
Hopkinson also revealed how involved Newcastle's owners remain behind the scenes.
"I talk to our owners multiple times a day," he said. "They commit time, energy, people, resources, consulting, advice. They are the most leaned-in owners I've ever worked with. All they want to know is how they can help. They challenge our thinking and push us. They're absolutely extraordinary partners. There's no one that wants to see Newcastle 2.0 succeed more than they do."
#newcastle #behind #united #public
3 months ago
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Arsenal's move for Bruno Guimaraes has effectively been confirmed by Newcastle United's senior figures, with the club admitting the midfielder's desire to leave ultimately forced them into a deal they had never planned to make.
Although ****** nal have yet to formally announce the transfer, with paperwork reportedly delaying confirmation, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson has acknowledged that an agreement has been reached and suggested the Gunners paid more than they had hoped.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Hopkinson said: "It was not the fee that I think ****** nal had hoped to pay and of course we would have liked an even higher number. But I think you're dealing with sophisticated actors on both sides and that's what negotiation looks like.
The Chronicle 8 August 2026
#arsenal #think #kruger
Arsenal's move for Bruno Guimaraes has effectively been confirmed by Newcastle United's senior figures, with the club admitting the midfielder's desire to leave ultimately forced them into a deal they had never planned to make.
Although ****** nal have yet to formally announce the transfer, with paperwork reportedly delaying confirmation, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson has acknowledged that an agreement has been reached and suggested the Gunners paid more than they had hoped.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Hopkinson said: "It was not the fee that I think ****** nal had hoped to pay and of course we would have liked an even higher number. But I think you're dealing with sophisticated actors on both sides and that's what negotiation looks like.
The Chronicle 8 August 2026
#arsenal #think #kruger
3 months ago
Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has insisted the club's dramatic summer represents the beginning of a new era rather than the end of the Magpies' ambitions.
Speaking to The Athletic following Eddie Howe's departure and Matthias Jaissle's appointment, along with a flurry of important changes to the squad, Hopkinson unveiled what he called "Newcastle United 2.0" and argued the club is building for sustained success despite losing several of its biggest names.
"We're going forwards, in a way that is built to last," Hopkinson said. "We are pivoting in line with our reality, but we will surge forward from here and get into a position where we can win consistently. This Newcastle 2.0 team will be young, hungry, ambitious, relentless. They want to be here and they will fight for everything. This is exciting. This is transformational. This is intentional. Let's go."
Hopkinson also admitted the club's previous approach could not continue indefinitely.
"There's no Newcastle 2.0 without Newcastle 1.0," Hopkinson said. "It ignited this community and allowed us to dream. It brought us spectacular nights here, it brought us a trophy and a parade. It was a great chapter, but we were living beyond our means. And, at some point, you've got to pay the credit card bill."
#hopkinson #united #magpies #Athletic
Speaking to The Athletic following Eddie Howe's departure and Matthias Jaissle's appointment, along with a flurry of important changes to the squad, Hopkinson unveiled what he called "Newcastle United 2.0" and argued the club is building for sustained success despite losing several of its biggest names.
"We're going forwards, in a way that is built to last," Hopkinson said. "We are pivoting in line with our reality, but we will surge forward from here and get into a position where we can win consistently. This Newcastle 2.0 team will be young, hungry, ambitious, relentless. They want to be here and they will fight for everything. This is exciting. This is transformational. This is intentional. Let's go."
Hopkinson also admitted the club's previous approach could not continue indefinitely.
"There's no Newcastle 2.0 without Newcastle 1.0," Hopkinson said. "It ignited this community and allowed us to dream. It brought us spectacular nights here, it brought us a trophy and a parade. It was a great chapter, but we were living beyond our means. And, at some point, you've got to pay the credit card bill."
#hopkinson #united #magpies #Athletic
3 months ago
A very interesting interview with Newcastle United Chief David Hopkinson as a very 'interesting' summer has developed,
The Newcastle United CEO speaking with less than three weeks to go until the 2026/27 season kicks off.
A change of manager, a huge shift in the playing squad.
Yet for David Hopkinson this is simply part of something bigger.
The Newcastle United Chief has been talking to George Caulkin of The Athletic about progressing from "Newcastle United 1.0" to "Newcastle United 2.0" on Tyneside.
#interesting
The Newcastle United CEO speaking with less than three weeks to go until the 2026/27 season kicks off.
A change of manager, a huge shift in the playing squad.
Yet for David Hopkinson this is simply part of something bigger.
The Newcastle United Chief has been talking to George Caulkin of The Athletic about progressing from "Newcastle United 1.0" to "Newcastle United 2.0" on Tyneside.
#interesting
4 months ago
Newcastle United are having the sort of summer that tells you a lot about how the club now sees itself. Sentiment has taken a back seat. Structure, value and compliance are driving the agenda. Credit to The Athletic for laying out the latest picture, and the Newcastle sections of their latest DealSheet make one thing very clear, this is a window built around discipline as much as ambition.
The headline moves are obvious enough. Sandro Tonali has gone to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m, Bazoumana Toure has arrived from Hoffenheim for a fee that could reach €50million, which is £42.8m, and the club are pushing hard for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi. Behind that, there is a deeper story about UEFA restrictions, wage control, squad age and the kind of players Eddie Howe wants next.
There will be supporters who hate the optics of selling Tonali to Spurs. Fair enough. He is a big name, he had quality, and Tottenham are hardly a glamorous destination right now. The report says “Tonali’s destination has proven unpalatable for some Newcastle fans, given Spurs finished 17th in each of the past two seasons”. That is blunt, and accurate.
Photo IMAGO
But the other side of the equation is equally clear. Newcastle were not cornered into a cut-price exit. According to The Athletic, “Newcastle’s sporting director, Ross Wilson, and CEO, David Hopkinson, were adamant the club would sell on their terms and told Spurs Tonali would not leave unless a package reaching £100m was tabled.” That is not weakness. That is leverage.
The headline moves are obvious enough. Sandro Tonali has gone to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m, Bazoumana Toure has arrived from Hoffenheim for a fee that could reach €50million, which is £42.8m, and the club are pushing hard for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi. Behind that, there is a deeper story about UEFA restrictions, wage control, squad age and the kind of players Eddie Howe wants next.
There will be supporters who hate the optics of selling Tonali to Spurs. Fair enough. He is a big name, he had quality, and Tottenham are hardly a glamorous destination right now. The report says “Tonali’s destination has proven unpalatable for some Newcastle fans, given Spurs finished 17th in each of the past two seasons”. That is blunt, and accurate.
Photo IMAGO
But the other side of the equation is equally clear. Newcastle were not cornered into a cut-price exit. According to The Athletic, “Newcastle’s sporting director, Ross Wilson, and CEO, David Hopkinson, were adamant the club would sell on their terms and told Spurs Tonali would not leave unless a package reaching £100m was tabled.” That is not weakness. That is leverage.
4 months ago
Newcastle United have rejected a bid from Tottenham Hotspur for midfielder Sandro Tonali.
It is understood an offer worth about £80m was turned down earlier this week.
BBC Sport previously reported Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi was a long-time admirer of Tonali and that the club were exploring the finances of a deal for the 26-year-old Italian.
However, their opening proposal was declined by Newcastle, who are in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m as Manchester City and ******* nal monitor developments.
Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but the club's chief executive, David Hopkinson, has previously made it clear they will only trade players on "our terms".
It is understood an offer worth about £80m was turned down earlier this week.
BBC Sport previously reported Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi was a long-time admirer of Tonali and that the club were exploring the finances of a deal for the 26-year-old Italian.
However, their opening proposal was declined by Newcastle, who are in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m as Manchester City and ******* nal monitor developments.
Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but the club's chief executive, David Hopkinson, has previously made it clear they will only trade players on "our terms".
