Sir John Hall: Newcastle could become next Manchester United
By Russell Edge
Former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall has claimed that the club could become the next Manchester United if they are bought by an ambitious enough owner.
The Magpies announced that they were up for sale on Monday, with Mike Ashley looking to end his 10 year association with the club, having purchased them for £134million back in 2007.
The business tycoon bought out Hall, who is the club’s life president, as well as Freddie Shepherd, but has endured a tumultuous decade on Tyneside.
He has overseen a fifth placed finish as well as two relegations, while there have been several decisions made which have infuriated the home supporters.
Hall says that he expected Newcastle to compete for silverware under the Sports Direct supremo, but insists that a new owner could see the club push on to become established as a top club in England.
He believes that it would take half the time that Ashley has been at the club to break the top six, and even potentially push onto the level of Manchester United, who he says are valued at over a billion pounds.
He told the Sun: “In the recent past we have always been the bridesmaid rather than the bride and new owners can change that — if they are prepared to invest.
“I really thought that under Ashley, United would win a trophy but it wasn’t to be. Somebody coming up and getting the fans on their side over ten years could change all that.
“Manchester United are now worth more than a billion and the rest of the top five or six must be worth £600m to a billion.
“Newcastle have the potential to move up to that level. But you have to stay with it because it will take a good few years to compete with the top clubs. You are talking about a five-year period.”
Newcastle currently sit ninth in the Premier League table after eight matches, in what is their first season back in the top flight having suffered promotion two seasons ago.
They have picked up three victories so far, over West Ham, Swansea and Stoke City, drawn twice and lost to Tottenham, Huddersfield and Brighton.
In other Newcastle United news, the club held talks with Liverpool over a swoop for this former star.
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