Newcastle United’s hierarchy has acknowledged internal concern over the club’s underperforming loan system, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh.
Responding to a fan question in his Tuesday mailbag,
Waugh wrote that “the success or otherwise of Newcastle’s loans for their youngsters is a constant discussion point internally,” adding that each arrangement is “carefully scrutinised and then considered as part of an overarching, ongoing review process.”
While Shola Ameobi continues to oversee the loans department, Waugh revealed that several senior figures — including head of recruitment Steve Nickson, sporting director Ross Wilson, and academy staff — are all now involved in choosing destinations.
“Tweaks have been made over the past 12-to-18 months and further alterations will follow,” Waugh wrote, noting that Wilson will play a larger role moving forward.
The review follows disappointing results from multiple recent loan spells. Waugh cited winger Antonio Cordero, who has played only 83 minutes across six substitute appearances for Westerlo in Belgium after joining NUFC earlier this year. Newcastle had expected far more regular football after a detailed vetting process.
“A lot of work went into identifying where Cordero should be sent,” Waugh wrote, pointing to logistical issues such as visa restrictions and the stylistic similarities between Belgian and English football.
Despite the frustration, the club views such experiences as valuable learning steps.
“Sometimes loans are not only about how much a player features on the pitch — even if that is always part of it,” Waugh wrote.
It looks like Newcastle believe they are improving how they identify suitable loan clubs and intend to continue refining that approach going forward, so we’ll see.
Waugh also referenced Garang Kuol’s failed development path as a lesson learned, writing that those inside the club “feel lessons have been learned and that their procedures are far better now.”
