Former Newcastle United chief spotted at PIF HQ just days after Paul Mitchell announcement

The enduring connection between Newcastle United’s former executives and the club’s Saudi ownership has come into focus once again this week, as Mehrdad Ghodoussi paid a visit to the Public Investment Fund (PIF) headquarters in Riyadh.

The trip marks another chapter in the ongoing relationship between the married duo of Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley and the Magpies’ current custodians, nearly a year after their formal departure from St James’ Park.

Staveley and Ghodoussi played pivotal roles in Newcastle’s transformative £305 million takeover in October 2021, with their PCP Partners firm and RB Sports & Media each acquiring 10% stakes alongside PIF’s majority holding.

Their hands-on leadership during those critical early months saw the appointment of Eddie Howe as manager and the club’s remarkable ascent from relegation candidates to Champions League qualifiers within 18 months.

The pair oversaw several marquee signings that reshaped the squad, including record acquisition Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali, before their final act of navigating last summer’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) challenges through the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.

Despite selling their combined 20% stake back to PIF and RB Sports & Media last July – resulting in the current 85%/15% ownership split – their emotional investment in the club remains undiminished.

Both were visibly emotional spectators at Wembley during Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final appearance against Liverpool and celebrated enthusiastically when the team secured another top-five finish this season.

Ghodoussi’s recent social media post from PIF’s headquarters, captioned “always a pleasure to visit @publicinvestmentfund,” has inevitably sparked speculation among supporters about the nature of his discussions.

The timing of Ghodoussi’s Middle East trip proves particularly intriguing given Newcastle’s impending front office reshuffle. With sporting director Paul Mitchell confirming his June departure and CEO Darren Eales preparing to step down due to health considerations, some fans have begun wistfully imagining a Staveley-Ghodoussi return.

However, those close to the situation suggest such a scenario appears unlikely at present, with the pair having previously explored other football investment opportunities since leaving Tyneside.

Late last year, they were linked with potential involvement at Tottenham Hotspur, though Staveley quickly tempered those rumors by affirming her enduring Newcastle allegiance.

“Nothing is going to replicate that experience,” Staveley told The Athletic. “I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people… but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.”

Her poignant description of becoming a “Yorkshire Geordie” and promises to return for matches underscore the deep personal connection forged during their tenure.

Industry observers note several plausible explanations for Ghodoussi’s Riyadh visit beyond nostalgic reunions. The former directors maintain extensive Middle Eastern business networks that could involve entirely separate ventures, while their financial expertise might position them as occasional consultants on football matters.

Alternatively, the meeting could reflect PIF’s recognition of their institutional knowledge as Newcastle prepares for another summer of strategic squad building and executive appointments.

What remains undeniable is the lasting imprint Staveley and Ghodoussi left on the club’s modern identity. Their transitional stewardship bridged the gap between Mike Ashley’s austerity and PIF’s ambitious vision, establishing operational frameworks that continue bearing fruit.

As Newcastle enter another period of boardroom evolution, the affection shown by these former architects of the takeover serves as both a reminder of how far the club has progressed and a testament to the magnetic pull it exerts on those who have shaped its destiny.

Whether their future involvement extends beyond ceremonial support remains uncertain, but their legacy as catalysts for Newcastle’s renaissance is permanently etched in the club’s history.