‘Perfect’ – Yasir Al-Rumayyan makes intriguing Newcastle remark in Saudi football future statement
The landscape of global football is constantly evolving, and few entities have had a more dramatic impact on its recent transformation than the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.
At a recent event hosted by The Economic Club of Washington, PIF’s Governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, provided a fascinating glimpse into the strategic thinking behind the fund’s foray into the sport, revealing a carefully orchestrated plan that began not in the Middle East, but in the North East of England.
According to Al-Rumayyan, the acquisition of Newcastle United in October 2021 was the crucial first step, a pilot project that would become the blueprint for a much larger ambition: elevating the entire Saudi Pro League to a top-tier global competition.
Al-Rumayyan described the decision to purchase Newcastle as one that “made perfect sense.” The club was acquired for £305 million, a price he noted was below the value of other Premier League teams, yet it possessed immense potential.
The immediate goal was to prove a concept: could a structured, strategic approach reverse the fortunes of a historic club languishing near the bottom of the table? The results were swift and remarkable.
From 19th place at the time of the takeover, Newcastle climbed to 11th by the end of the first season. This was followed by a period of sustained growth, culminating in a top-five finish, a long-awaited trophy—the club’s first in 70 years—and a return to the Champions League.
This success story, Al-Rumayyan explained, was not achieved by simply spending money. It was accomplished by implementing a specific “framework and system to the decision-making process.”
This model, which focused on strategic appointments, data-driven recruitment, and long-term planning, became the template.
Once proven effective in the demanding environment of the Premier League, this very same blueprint was imported back to Saudi Arabia.
The PIF took a 75% stake in four of the country’s leading clubs—Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli—and began a similar process of elevation.
The first phase involved attracting global superstar talent to generate instant visibility and credibility. The high-profile signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar served this exact purpose, putting the Saudi Pro League on the map for fans worldwide.
But as Al-Rumayyan pointed out, the next phase is more complex: “we have great players, how can we make the clubs great clubs?” The answer lies in applying the Newcastle model improving infrastructure, management, and youth development to build sustainable institutions, not just flashy squads.
This strategy is central to Saudi Arabia’s broader vision, which includes hosting the 2034 World Cup and using football as a catalyst for tourism and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
However, this grand strategy has created a point of frustration for Newcastle supporters. While Premier League clubs have collectively received around £500 million in transfer fees from Saudi teams, Newcastle itself has been largely excluded from this financial flow.
The sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to Al Ahli for £23 million remains the only direct transaction, as deals between clubs under the same ownership umbrella are subject to stringent “fair market value” assessments to avoid scrutiny.
For fans watching top talent move to Saudi Arabia, the inability to engage in beneficial deals with what is, in essence, a sister club feels like a missed opportunity within a shared project.
The challenge for the ownership is to balance this global vision with the need to demonstrate clear and tangible benefits for the club that started it all.
