David Hopkinson - on several occasions in his five months as CEO - has promised to propel Newcastle United into superstardom. A ballsy timeline has been set - with the Canadian promising to do exactly that by 2030.
“The No.1 thing I talk to the ownership about is ambition,” Hopkinson told talkSPORT earlier this month. “That’s the magic word here, having the correct ambition.
“We have total alignment on that. This is a club that, by 2030, will be consistently contending for the top prizes in global football. We have a lot of wood to chop between here and there. When I see Newcastle United, everywhere I look, I see opportunity.”
“It’s my job to help the club unlock that and deliver that. My job is to get a bigger bag (of money). And invest that with Ross (Wilson) appropriately to give Eddie Howe more chance of success on the pitch.”
But in a PSR-driven world, how realistic is that target? Real Madrid are the current No.1 money-makers in world football - banking a staggering £1billion in revenue last season. As for Newcastle? Just the paltry £335million - still enough to register in the top 20 rich list.
NewcastleWorld has profiled where the Magpies sit in the table - giving a solid indication of the uphill task Hopkinson faces. Grab your popcorn and prepare to buckle in as the next four seasons promises to be a blast - regardless of whether Newcastle hit their ambitious target.
Revenue: £1.161billion
1. Real Madrid
Revenue: £1.161billion | AFP via Getty Images
Revenue: €974.8million
2. Barcelona
Revenue: €974.8million | Getty Images
Revenue: €860.6million
3. Bayern Munich
Revenue: €860.6million | Getty Images
Revenue: €837million
4. PSG
Revenue: €837million | AFP via Getty Images