Newcastle United bid farewell to Jamal Lewis this summer and ChronicleLive caught up with the Northern Ireland international for an exclusive interview on his time at the club and his hopes for the future
Jamal Lewis with former Newcastle United team-mates Lewis Hall, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff
Jamal Lewis with former Newcastle United team-mates Lewis Hall, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff
Jamal Lewis has had time to think. Not only about his future, but his past, too, after the defender's contract ran out at Newcastle United.
"It's been helpful because I sometimes wrack my brain about why things didn't work out," he told ChronicleLive.
Lewis certainly had a different ending in mind back in 2020 after Newcastle paid £15m for the Northern Ireland international, who had previously been subject of an offer from Liverpool.
It was a dream move. On paper. This was a club, in Lewis' own words, with 'monumental potential - even before there was talk of investment'.
Although Lewis soon realised it 'wasn't a great fit style wise under Steve Bruce' - compared to what he had been used to at Norwich City - the left-back also recognised that he 'struggled to adapt'.
However, a change of manager offered fresh hope following the takeover more than a year later. In fact, Eddie Howe later revealed that he was a 'really big fan' of Lewis after tracking the defender for some time.
Jamal Lewis celebrates with Callum Wilson after Eddie Howe's first win as Newcastle United boss against Burnley in 2021
Jamal Lewis celebrates with Callum Wilson after Eddie Howe's first win as Newcastle United boss against Burnley in 2021
It is easy to forget that Lewis started three games in a row in the opening weeks of Howe's reign - only for a groin issue to rear its ugly head against former suitors Liverpool at Anfield. It felt like a sliding doors moment.
Howe signed Matt Targett a few weeks later and the injured Lewis was left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of the season.
"It was unfortunate that I didn't produce what I felt I could because it could have been a great match, but this is football," Lewis reflected. "Sometimes the timing is not right. I had injuries. They have got games to win so it's just unfortunate that it didn't come together as it could have.
"I've since learnt a lot about my body. I've caught little niggles. I had pelvic and groin problems that kept me out for a while. Even when I was back, I didn't feel like I was clicking. I almost had to reset my body, get in the gym and work on the bits and bobs that were going on for a couple of years.
"It was disappointing not to play, but to be provided with an elite environment to progress and get myself out of that position was not something I took for granted. You have to take an unselfish approach to things when you see a high-performance environment that's pushing to progress and produces results. I understood that.
"I would have loved to play a bigger role, but I just made sure that I showed up every day and was the best that I could be in training. It would have been great to apply it on to the pitch for Newcastle United, but it was not written in the stars."
Jamal Lewis hobbles off at Anfield in 2021
Jamal Lewis hobbles off at Anfield in 2021
The competition was certainly fierce. After Targett suffered an injury of his own, Dan Burn quickly made the position his own for a year-and-a-half before another new left-back, Lewis Hall, eventually got his chance.
Lewis, who spent time on loan at Watford and Sao Paulo, ultimately made just a handful of appearances in his final few years at the club as a result. In fact, you have to go back to May, 2023 for what proved to be Lewis' last competitive outing for Newcastle.
However, rather than feeling bitter, it is rather telling that Lewis looks back on his time at St James' Park as a 'great experience' after Geordies made him feel like the Magpies 'had another man on the pitch to help steer you forward'.
"Despite there being trials and tribulations, and there being more ups than downs for me personally, I really came to understand myself as a footballer and a man there," he said of his five years at the club. "I don't look back with any negativity.
"I probably did in the moment, but I've learnt as I've got older that these things help you grow as a person and a footballer. So I'm actually very thankful for them and to Newcastle for buying me and giving me the opportunity to even represent the club. That's a blessing in itself.
"It's very easy to blame people in football, but that's not my mindset. Mine is to take accountability first.
Jamal Lewis unveiled at St James' Park in September, 2020
Jamal Lewis unveiled at St James' Park in September, 2020
"Some things are in your hands, some things are out of your hands. Just because it's out of your hands doesn't mean it's someone else's fault."
Lewis remains close to Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Jamaal Lascelles and the 27-year-old was 'so happy for the boys' following Newcastle's historic Carabao Cup triumph a few months ago.
Lewis has vowed to continue to keep an eye on a club that will 'have a special place' in his heart, but the defender is 'ready for the next opportunity' - wherever that may be - following his most recent spell in Brazil.
"Sao Paulo was amazing," he smiled. "The fans, the people, the culture. It was just unfortunate that the loan got cut short by an ankle injury.
"I would have liked to have embedded myself in the culture a little bit more and approached it head on. It was a learning curve after being outside my comfort zone with not too many English speakers, but it was great to see a new culture and one of the birthplaces of football.
"I have told my agent I'm open. I want to be competitive. I want to be given the chance to be able to show what I can do. It's been a while now since I've actually been able to implement all the attributes that I know I can on the pitch on a consistent basis. That's the biggest thing for me now moving forward."