IN A BLACK AND WHITE TOWN
As rallying cries for the dawn of a golden era go, “I am quite optimistic” is not “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. It did not fit the “I think I am a special one” template set 22 years ago by Netflix’s latest documentary subject. Nor did Matthias Jaissle’s unveiling as Newcastle manager meet the pre-match billing of “fire” and “a rock star” that the club’s chief suit had promised the journalists in attendance. Though, considering the summer of tumult on Tyneside, it was a sensible path to take. Expectations among the Toon Army have certainly lowered since Geordies sunk Tin and donned tea-towel headdresses in celebration of Mike Ashley’s departure and the arrival of a consortium underpinned by the petrodollars of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. As it turned out, Lionel Messi neither ended up mowing the pitch nor selling the pies.
Depending on your perspective, that Newcastle have not yet been crowned Premier League and Bigger Cup champions is down to the servile football authorities bowing down to the hated red cartel or that day of wild celebration being one of false hope. The truth lies probably somewhere in between. A number of missteps pockmarked the last season of Eddie Howe’s reign. The “here we go” arrivals were nowhere near up to snuff. It should, though, be readily accepted that Newcastle enjoyed a good run under Howe, including an actual trophy and two rides on the Bigger Cup fun bus.
The Saudi connection has not paved St James’ Park with black gold (or Texas tea as the Beverly Hillbillies once had it). A pitfall of becoming the plaything of a top-level geopolitical operator is that those geopolitics may get in the way. Gulf states have a few things on their plates at the moment, and the interests of that investment fund stretch beyond a football club 3,000 miles from Riyadh. A new phase is entered; Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães are gone. Some might say the Saudis have lost interest, though Jaissle’s arrival from Al-Ahli, another club in the Pif portfolio, suggests hands are still on the tiller.
As for the new manager, the verdict was that he spoke very well at his premiere. “We were looking at each other with smiles and goosebumps,” he cooed, in describing his and his assistants’ first look at the stadium. Realism was offered in admitting a “vacuum” now those assets have been flogged off but there was no preview of the touchline histrionics various profiles have promised. Jaissle also followed the recent but now ingrained tradition of shaking each of his future interrogators’ hands. A classy gesture? A power move? Take your pick. Howe’s departure, and the loss of those big names, has returned Newcastle to the state of flux that was long their usual state of existence. How long can Jaissle’s calm and collected deportment last? How long can measured optimism sustain?
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You’re not used to so little rain, are you? I love to do some gardening. Back home, everyone has their own vegetables and it’s just better, it tastes better. Being away from home and away from family … it can be quite lonely sometimes if you come home from training, so it was really nice to have a garden … it’s not too much effort, it’s just a nice hobby” – in the latest edition of Moving the Goalposts, Manchester United goalkeeper Janina Leitzig tells Tom Garry that she has moved from runner beans to running drills as the season approaches.
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Bob Cushion (yesterday’s letters), your football club was caught cheating. Your club deserves everything it gets. Oh and no, I’m not a Pompey fan” – Darren Dodd.
As a Wolves fan may I express gratitude to Wrexham and Southampton for preventing us from starting the season in last place. Although still in the relegation zone I remain moderately optimistic” – Rob Taylor
Reading Big Website’s League One preview I was reminded that Stockport County have replaced the legendary Dave Challinor with one Jimmy McNulty. Does that mean the Hatters’ promotion challenge will once again go down to The Wire? (with excuses if this has been mentioned previously)” – Duncan Roberts.
Re: David Maddock (yesterday’s letters) – please can you stop publishing letters written by my husband? It’s annoying and he’s not as good as Noble Francis. And he’s had more than me now!” – Katie Maddock.
If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Duncan Roberts, who gets some Football Weekly merch. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.