Newcastle United’s non-playing staff have received their first pay rise in several years after an independent review over salaries was undertaken by the club’s new owners.
Administrative staff, office workers and scouts at the Premier League club received the first rise in April of this year, following a four-month consultation period. It is thought some employees had only received one pay rise in the previous ten years.
The review was put in place by co-owner Amanda Staveley and her partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi. Staveley, through PCP Capital Partners, took a 10 per cent shareholding in the club following the £305 million takeover in September last year. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought an 80 per cent stake and the final 10 per cent went to RB Sports & Media.
The pair interviewed non-playing staff following the takeover and were shocked at the salary levels in place and the lack of regular pay reviews. They felt then a full review would have to be undertaken and that was implemented by an independent body from December.
What has been described to The Times as a ‘proper benchmarking exercise’ followed and a ‘consensus that the club had been poor payers’ was found.
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As of April, a new wage structure has been in place that is now said to be nationally competitive and staff have been given rises to match market values for the jobs they do in line with other Premier League clubs.
Understandably, staff at the club are said to be ‘very pleased’ with the changes, according to a source.
Botman, left, in Champions League action for Lille against Chelsea's Kai Havertz, is a target for Newcastle
IAN WALTON/AP
On the pitch, Newcastle have prioritised the signing of another central defender during the summer transfer window and will renew their interest in Sven Botman, as revealed by The Timesin March.
Lille turned down a £27 million offer from Newcastle in January for the 22-year-old Dutch defender, but are now prepared to let the player leave.
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The Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe likes Botman for his ability on the ball and his style of play. Botman expressed his interest in the Newcastle project once the January transfer window had closed. Serie A champions AC Milan are also fighting for the player’s signature.
Newcastle do have an interest in James Tarkowski, who will become a free agent at the end of June when his contract with Burnley expires, but he is further down their list.
Meanwhile, Dan Ashworth is expected to join Newcastle next week as director of football after an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion was finally reached. Ashworth resigned from his position at Brighton in February but has been on gardening leave since as the two clubs argued over a compensation package. Brighton wanted around £5 million but it is thought the final figure will be less.
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