Mike Ashley failed to win any silverware during his 14-year spell as Newcastle United manager.
Newcastle United’s trophy drought only grew larger under Mike Ashley, but the Magpies have another chance to end it on Sunday when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
It has been just shy of four years since PIF completed their takeover at St James’ Park, and in that time Newcastle have reached two cup finals and returned to the Champions League.
PIF have launched ‘Project 2030’ at Newcastle, aiming to return to the top of English football in the next five years. The ambition shown by the new owners completely blows Ashley out of the water.
Ashley promised to win Newcastle a trophy in 2015 but thankfully he accepted defeat and sold up six years later.
Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images
Mike Ashley offered £20m bonus for a trophy
Ashley relegated Newcastle in 2016, but thankfully Rafa Benitez stayed as manager and led the Magpies back to the top flight.
In the summer following promotion, there was a row between Newcastle players and the board surrounding contract bonuses.
As reported by The Sun, Ashley stepped in and offered £20m in bonuses to the squad if they were able to lift the FA Cup.
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Under Ashley, Newcastle had never progressed past the fourth round of the FA Cup, yet his solution to trying to end the trophy drought was to throw financial bonuses to a newly-promoted squad.
Newcastle crashed out of the FA Cup in the fourth round to Chelsea a few months later, so Ashley never had to pay up on his promised bonuses.
PIF and Eddie Howe on brink of Newcastle history
Unlike Ashley, PIF have financially backed Newcastle and created a winning environment.
The next step is winning a trophy, but it is no coincidence that Newcastle have put themselves back in the picture as contenders for silverware under PIF.
They have helped to mend the connection between fans and the squad, although a lot of praise should go towards Eddie Howe, who has led Newcastle’s transformation.
READ MORE: The message Eddie Howe is privately pushing behind the scenes at Newcastle United ahead of Carabao Cup final
Howe is obsessed with winning a trophy, and he will head to Wembley on Sunday determined to be the man who ends Newcastle’s wait for silverware.
PIF are committed to Howe as Newcastle’s manager for the long-term so there is a bright future ahead for the club.