Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has been on Tyneside conducting a series of progress reports with senior members of the club’s management team ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
As well as seeking to learn more about what has been achieved since the takeover went through in October 2021, both on and off the pitch, it is understood Al-Rumayyan also set out Saudi Arabia’s ambition for the next stage of Newcastle’s development.
He also asked for feedback on what he could do to help in turning the club into a consistent force in both English and European football.
Al-Rumayyan, who is also governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns a majority 80 per cent stake in the Premier League club, has largely left the day-to-day running to other members of the ownership consortium, led by Amanda Staveley, her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben.
But the 53-year-old was at St James’ Park for the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool last weekend and took the opportunity to ask for updates, including an assessment of what still needs to improve and what has gone well, from all the main heads of departments, including manager Eddie Howe and director of football Dan Ashworth.
Telegraph Sport understands he received a series of presentations and asked questions of all those involved in running things in his absence, stressing he wanted to help them ensure the club continues to grow over the coming months.
Al-Rumayyan is said to be delighted with the rapid progress made by the team this season, with Newcastle sitting fifth in the Premier League and preparing for their first final for 24 years against Manchester United on Sunday.
However, it is not yet known whether he will be at Wembley for the final, with a late decision partly motivated by his security detail.
It would be a surprise, though, if he was not at the game given it could be the first trophy won under the Saudi-led ownership group and the club’s first piece of major silverware since 1969.
Summer transfer budget among discussions
Although he has left much of the everyday management details to others, Al-Rumayyan is in charge of the club’s overall strategy and retains the final say on all key decisions.
Sources have indicated the progress report meetings are a crucial part of his management style and he takes a keen interest in every level of the club, not just the first team performance under Howe.
Among the topics discussed was the summer transfer budget, with a long awaited announcement on new sponsorship deals expected soon, which should increase the club’s spending power.
As things stand income levels are roughly the same as they were when former owner Mike Ashley was in charge, which has caused the club problems making sure they stick to Financial Fair Play Rules.
