Chris Waugh has made clear that Newcastle United’s ownership structure continues to slow down progress on major infrastructure projects despite the arrival of a new chief executive, and that will remain the same for the time being.
Waugh explained during a Q&A
that David Hopkinson, who officially started as CEO at the start of September, has been given oversight of stadium and training-ground matters.The Canadian is expected to push forward with Newcastle’s ambition of becoming “No. 1,” but he is still
in the early stages of listening and learning before taking on such decisions, and the ultimate call will be made by the PIF-led board.
While short-term work is happening behind the scenes, such as the approved expansion of the Benton training base to add office and communal space, the larger projects remain undecided at this time, Waugh reported on Tuesday.
Newcastle have narrowed possible sites for a new training complex and are weighing whether to redevelop St James’ Park or build a new stadium on Leazes Park, with the final decision not yet set in stone.
Waugh added that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle, is ultimately responsible for sanctioning every major move and expects PIF to keep its “process-driven” approach going in Tyneside.
PIF has a reputation for lengthy deliberations, which explains why decisions around both the stadium and training facilities remain unresolved nearly four years after their 2021 takeover, with no announcements expected shortly.
