Ex-Magpie Jenas hoping ‘good times’ return to Newcastle
Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas is hoping the glory days will return once the club’s takeover is complete.
It was announced on Wednesday that Newcastle’s takeover could be back on after Saudi Arabia indicated it would lift its ban on broadcaster beIN SPORTS.
The Qatari network had been unable to broadcast in Saudi Arabia for the last four-and-a-half years as part of a diplomatic dispute but the ban is set to come to an end, the PA news agency understands.
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It is now being widely reported that the announcement is imminent, and expected from the Magpies on Thursday.
A host of big names have been jokingly linked with a move to Tyneside by fans since the news emerged on Wednesday.
Jenas, who made 152 appearances for Newcastle says he is hoping the glory days will soon return to the club with fans dreaming of notable signings and attractive football once again.
“That football club has suffered for the best part of 20-odd years,” he told talkSPORT.
“When I left that football club I thought it was unrecognisable, I was playing in the Champions League under Bryan Robson with players like Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy and Nathan Dyer.
“We were third in the Premier League one time and challenging, had big Champions League nights with Inter Milan, Juventus and Barcelona coming to town, but it all just vanished.
“If it does go through then I’m just hoping the good times do come back to St James’ Park because those fans thoroughly deserve it.”
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has said the Saudi owners will look to take things “step by step”.
“The consortium want to do it properly. Once they get the keys to St. James’ Park, they want to make sure they do things step by step,” Downie said.
“They won’t throw hundreds of millions of pounds in to the January window. Yes, there will be a budget. Yes, there will be money to spend.
“Yes, they’ve got time ahead of January in order to plan what they want to do. They have targets in mind, already, but they want to build gradually.”
