Expert: PIF ‘need to get more involved’ in Newcastle's 'big decisions' - 'we're waiting to hear from them'

Newcastle United’s Saudi ownership must prove with actions that they remain committed to the club.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who dropped his verdict after Newcastle held their annual meeting.

Despite pulling their funding for LIV Golf, the PIF’s commitment to Newcastle remains unchanged, whilst they have backed manager Eddie Howe to lead the team into next season.

Howe though has been made aware that Newcastle’s results must improve next season, as the club will end the campaign trophyless and without European qualification.

No European football will hit Newcastle’s revenue, and the club want to grow finances to help strengthen their squad to compete at the top end of the Premier League table.

Newcastle ‘have a long way to go’ to match PIF ambitions

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Newcastle must utilise the PIF’s contacts to bring in more sponsorship.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that decisions on key infrastructure projects must also be made quicker in the future.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “What PIF do need to do is get more involved and get quicker at making decisions and supporting the executive team.

“Newcastle have got to start dipping into these relationships that PIF have with other investments that they own and start to bring in more of that sponsorship money somehow into Newcastle. It’s very clear that whatever the chief executive has said about them becoming one of the top clubs of the world in the years ahead, it’s going to take money to do that, and they haven’t got those resources right now.

“They’ve made a good leap in terms of almost doubling commercial revenue, but there’s a long way to go yet, and the PIF have got a lead on that. Now, along with that, we’ve been waiting for ages around the new training ground, and the stadium.

“It’s been very worrying, I would think, for a lot of people, and that’s where there’s been a connection with PIF pulling out, because they have not made those big decisions and those announcements that were supposed to be over a year ago.

“We’re still waiting to hear on that as well and that’s going to be a big part of the future for Newcastle.”

Donyell Malen could make swift Premier League return

A new target has emerged on Newcastle’s radar as Howe looks to bolster his strike force ahead of next season amid concerns over Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

The pair could both leave St James’ Park this summer after struggling for form, and with Howe not putting his trust in either in recent weeks.

Sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle could approach Roma for Donyell Malen, with the Italian club potentially open to letting the forward leave.

Roma will buy Malen permanently from Aston Villa in the summer when his loan spell ends, but they could sell him for a quick profit after a productive period of 11 goals in 15 matches in Serie A.

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