PIF and RB Sports & Media

[The Prophet]

Can't be true, PIF don't care.

[Sima]

Thought this place didn’t like Craig Hope?

 

Or is that only when he says stuff we don’t want to hear?

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Sima

[et tu brute]

5 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

Can't be true, PIF don't care.

Aye according to some in here and they're going to be made to look quite silly in the not too distant future. Day after day of mouthing off about the same things based off nothing. 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by et tu brute

[54]

Can someone copy paste, so I don't have to give the Daily Heil a click.

[Kid Icarus]

13 minutes ago, Sima said:

Thought this place didn’t like Craig Hope?

 

Or is that only when he says stuff we don’t want to hear?

 

Think that's more to do with his shit-stirring than stuff like this. Albeit it still applies like because people loved it when he was shit-stirring about Bruce.

[GideonShandy]

NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: World-renowned firm behind Real Madrid's super base to design new state-of-the-art training ground, Toon scouts track 'next Luka Modric' and why they face competition for targets from Man United

 

World-renowned architects Populous are set to design Newcastle United’s new training ground, Confidential can reveal. The US-based company, with offices in the UK and Australia, were the architects behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and have drawn the plans for Roma’s new 65,000-capacity home. They were also the brains behind the impressive Real Madrid Sports City, the training base that houses the senior and youth teams of the Spanish giants. That is the level of ambition Newcastle’s Saudi-led owners will insist on, with the Madrid facility including a small stadium, all-weather pitches, swimming pools and a media suite. Interestingly, Populous drew plans for a new training centre for Queens Park Rangers that they showcase on their website - it was never built - and it gives an insight into their work and how parts of the Newcastle design could look. The collaboration with Newcastle is a major coup for both the club and Populous, with several firms competing for the contract to design a state-of-the-art complex that is intended to be the envy of the Premier League. Tyneside-based architects FaulknerBrowns could also assist in the project. We understand that two sites made the shortlist - land near Newcastle Racecourse, owned by the Reuben family, and in Woolsington, close to Newcastle Airport. The racecourse is the most likely. Populous also designed Real Madrid's Valdebebas training base which houses both the senior and youth sides. Newcastle are likely to use a different firm to design their stadium project, whether that ends up as a renovation of St James' Park or a new build on Leazes Park. The next steps will be drawing up the ambitious plans, confirming the preferred site and contracting builders and engineers to undertake the work. However, sources say completion is still several years away.

 

For now, Eddie Howe and his squad will remain at their Benton base. Confidential revealed in November that expansion work is due to begin on that site, with extra buildings added to an area currently used as a car park. Meanwhile, we have been told that Populous’ involvement with the new training ground does not mean they will also be the architects who work on the stadium project, despite their expertise in this area. Sources have indicated it is likely that Newcastle will use two different firms. We understand Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture have visited Riyadh and they have worked with the club before, although no decision has been taken on who will design the renovation of St James’ Park or a new build on Leazes Park. Construction companies are also now jostling for position to lead the developments, with Bowmer + Kirkland and Laing O’Rourke among those in the running.

 

But the training ground news is sure to be welcomed by supporters, especially given the reputation of Populous in the sports industry. Some of their work in American sports is breathtaking. The hope will be that, after decades of using a facility that would not rank in the top half of Premier League training grounds, Newcastle will have a complex that helps to attract and then develop the world’s best players. Describing their work at Real Madrid, Populous state: ‘The site is made up of various outdoor training fields including two all-weather, full-size soccer fields, with exclusive facilities for the first team, including a separate goalkeeping field and other special outdoor training facilities. There is also a 20,000-seat stadium with an open bowl where the second division team of Real Madrid play.

 

Newcastle want to have a complex that will attract and develop the world's best players. ‘The indoor facilities include a major academy where the youth programme manages both the academy and sports education and training. The various indoor & outdoor facilities include a press room, media suites, physio area, indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam bar and several functions rooms.' Populous declined to comment.

 

UNITEDS DO BATTLE

Newcastle and Manchester United scouts have run an into each on several occasions of late, Confidential can reveal. Magpies recruitment chief Steve Nickson and Simon Wells, his opposite number at Man United, were in attendance at the Ligue 1 clash between Lille and Nice on January 17. Both were there to check on Jonathan David, the Canadian striker who is out of contract in the summer. The 25-year-old, scorer of 102 goals in five seasons in France, has no shortage of suitors. But we understand that Nickson and Wells also returned reports on Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, the Iceland international who can operate in midfield or as a winger. The 21-year-old scored that night during Lille’s 2-1 win, and he has won comparison to Luka Modric for his ability on the ball. Haraldsson, who has already been capped 19 times by his country, was then watched by scouts from several Premier League clubs as Lille were beaten 2-1 at Liverpool in the Champions League this week. One observer told me he was the best player on the pitch. He is certainly one to watch for the summer.

 

Meanwhile, Nickson was also in the stands for the 2-2 draw between Brentford and Manchester City on January 14. Again, he was joined by Man United, this time in the form of scout Steve Head. It is thought both clubs were checking on Brentford forward Bryan Mbuemo. Newcastle have also been keeping tabs on Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter, the versatile left-sider. However, the 23-year-old signed a new contact until the summer of 2031 this month, indicating that his future lies in West London.

 

SOL FOCUS

The prospect of PIF chief Jacobo Solis replacing Darren Eales as Newcastle’s chief executive has been played down by club sources. It has been the talk of industry circles in recent weeks that Solis could be in line to take over from Eales, who announced last year he will be stepping down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer. Thankfully, Eales’ long-term prognosis is said to be positive, and he is continuing in his role until a successor is identified. Solis was appointed to the Newcastle board earlier this month and, given his background in sport, it was suggested to Confidential that the Spaniard could take over as chief executive down the line. However, with Solis holding the position of Head of European Investments with PIF, it is said his portfolio is too wide-ranging to focus solely on Newcastle. He sits on the board of several PIF investments, including LIV Golf. It is one to watch for now, for Solis has been hands-on with Newcastle since the takeover. While not always publicised, he has been involved in almost every major decision behind the scenes. PIF Head of European Investments Jacobo Solis was appointed to the Newcastle board earlier this month.Meanwhile, we have been told that news on the identity of the new chief executive should not be expected any time soon. External recruitment specialists have been contracted and, sources say, the search continues.

 

 

[timeEd32]

That is spectacular news. It's going to be much easier to sit through boring PSR windows and losing runs if real progress is being made on a training ground and stadium.

[jack j]

Gonna knock the racecourse down like or they just gonna use "goals"

[Miggys First Goal]

Now we’re talking. 

[Pixelphish]

We're rich again.

[Joe1984]

1 minute ago, Pixelphish said:

We're rich again.

Doesn't count toward PSR.

 

I think...

[Keegans Export]

3 minutes ago, Joe1984 said:

Doesn't count toward PSR.

 

I think...

The cost of building it doesn't count towards our PSR expenses but if we happened to find a multi-million pound sponsor for it that would qualify as income...

[Mikky]

1 minute ago, Keegans Export said:

The cost of building it doesn't count towards our PSR expenses but if we happened to find a multi-million pound sponsor for it that would qualify as income...

Can we sell the existing training ground when this is done? Ala Chelsea with the hotels?

[Mag3.14]

Quote

no decision has been taken on who will design the renovation of St James’ Park or a new build on Leazes Park. 

 

Is this creative license on "No Hopes" part or have I missed something regarding the confirmed location of a new stadium, if we go down that route? 

[Miggys First Goal]

 

[Zero]

Wait till it’s officially announced 

 

Sorry, all talks no action

[Novocastrian]

Meh, "No player has turned around and said they will not sign because of the training ground.”

[cubaricho]

Of course they haven’t. But that doesn’t mean that wasn’t why.  

[MagCA]

17 minutes ago, Miggys First Goal said:

 

250m budget 

 

Okay lad. 

[SUPERTOON]

11 minutes ago, cubaricho said:

Of course they haven’t. But that doesn’t mean that wasn’t why.  

He was aiming a dig at what Charnley said 

[Turnbull2000]

So ground is several years away, training facilities at least three. Feels like an eternity

[Chapo]

Hope the training ground can play on the right