Amanda Staveley says that Yasir Al-Rumayyan's desire to deliver the very best for Newcastle United is there for all to see behind the scenes at St James' Park The PIF governor enjoyed a standing ovation when unveiled as the club's new supremo last October ahead of the 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
And the fans' first real examination of exactly how ambitious the new backers are, the chairman sanctioned a £91million spending spree in January which included deals for Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Dan Barn, Bruno Guimarães and Matt Targett on loan. Staveley was asked about the club's relationship with the Saudi state and the dynamics of the new board.
Staveley, speaking at the Financial Times' Live event, said: "I knew there was only one investor for Newcastle, main investor and I knew who it was. I knew there would never be any instance that it would be the wrong relationship for us and the fans.
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"I am looking forward to seeing that relationship flourish and grow. My chairman is an incredible friend as well as a colleague. He says: 'Don't give me half full, if you deliver 100% of the business plan it should have been 200%'. He is driven and ambitious for Newcastle and I relish that challenge. We relish that challenge and the wonderful people we work with at the club they have also got to know PIF as colleagues."
When asked further about the relationship with Saudi Arabia, Staveley said to the New York Times: "We should always be held to task. You should always question that. One of the things we made sure we did in the Premier League's tests was that we showed there was that separation. We run the club, and PIF, run the club as autonomous institution. It is run separately and I know that."
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