The connection between a football club and its people runs deep, often extending far beyond the players on the pitch and the manager in the dugout.
For Newcastle United, the emotional bond with Amanda Staveley remains incredibly strong, even a year after her departure from the club.
As the public face of the historic 2021 takeover that transformed the Magpies into one of the wealthiest clubs in world football, Staveley was more than just an owner; she was a passionate and visible symbol of a new, exciting era.
Her exit in 2024, alongside her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, was a moment that genuinely saddened many associated with the club.
The circumstances of her leaving were tied to a difficult period where the club had to navigate the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
This led to the painful but necessary sales of two beloved academy products with incredibly bright futures, Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.
Despite the business realities that prompted her exit, the affection for her on Tyneside has never faded.
This was evident earlier this year when she attended the Carabao Cup final with her family after receiving a personal invitation from co-owner Jamie Reuben, a gesture that showed the deep respect that remains.
That enduring connection was highlighted once again recently on social media. Staveley took a moment to post a good luck message to the Newcastle Women’s team ahead of their match against Birmingham.
In the comments section, a very familiar voice chimed in. Club captain and fan favorite Bruno Guimaraes left a simple, heartfelt message: “Come back, queen”.
This small but powerful comment speaks volumes about the esteem in which she is still held by the most important figures within the dressing room.
This is not the first time Guimaraes has publicly expressed his admiration for Staveley. When her departure was announced, he was visibly emotional, calling her “one of us,” a term of the highest respect in the world of football.
His recent comment reinforces that feeling. It is a clear indication that for the players who were there during the transition, Staveley represented something special a direct line to an ownership group that was ambitious, personable, and deeply invested in the club’s human element, not just its financial performance.
Her legacy at the club is cemented by her role in some of the most significant signings of the new era.
In interviews, she has revealed that the club initially thought they had no chance of signing a player of Sandro Tonali’s caliber, but her personal touch and persuasive vision helped make it happen.
She also shared a brilliant, trusting relationship with manager Eddie Howe, and was instrumental in his appointment after being thoroughly impressed by his interview and his plan for the club.
Since leaving Newcastle, Staveley has kept a close but respectful distance, supporting the team from afar.
Reports have emerged that she is keen to return to the world of football ownership, with rumors linking her with an interest in buying Tottenham Hotspur.
However, those ambitions have so far been met with a “not for sale” response from the current ownership group. For now, it seems she may have to wait for the right opportunity to come back into the game she clearly loves.
Bruno Guimaraes’s public plea is more than just a nice comment on a social media post. It is a reflection of a widespread feeling among a large section of the Newcastle United family.
It underscores the unique role she played not just as a financier, but as a charismatic leader who helped build the culture and ambition that defines the club today.
While her return to an official capacity at Newcastle seems unlikely, her place in the heart of the club’s recent history is forever secure.
