Newcastle United chief Ross Wilson has revealed that what was seemingly a chaotic exodus of players and former manager Eddie Howe in the summer window was actually a thought-out plan orchestrated internally.
The Magpies lost key starters Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon over the course of pre-season.
Following Howe’s departure in July, Matthias Jaissle joined the club from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, with many fans uncertain of his appointment.
However, the German has overseen an unbeaten start to life in the Premier League so far this season.
Prepared for Howe’s exit
“Eddie is an exceptionally talented coach and at some point that meant he was probably going to do something else and we had to be prepared for that,” Wilson told Sky Sports.
“It didn’t feel painful. Clearly the timing was not one we had planned for. But we had a plan in place which is why we executed it as quickly as we did.
“It might have caught some people off guard, but the reason we could move so quickly on it was because we had prepared for a number of months.”
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Guimaraes the only unforeseen departure
Wilson admitted that former captain Guimaraes’ departure from the club to join Arsenal was the only circumstance the higher-ups were unprepared for.
He said: “[This summer] never felt chaotic inside. There is no point pretending otherwise – we did not want to lose Bruno Guimaraes. That was really disappointing that we got to that place in the end.
“We were happy where we got to in terms of numbers but that was not part of our plan. But everything else that happened during the window was part of the plan.”
Youth the focus
The signings of Nico Gonzalez and Matias Fernandez-Pardo were among eight arrivals under the age of 24, with the sole focus of bringing in younger talent under the club’s new trading strategy.
“If you want to be a successful club in the Premier League, you have to trade players and if you don’t the chances are you won’t be a successful club in the Premier League,” Wilson said.
“This is what we’ve got to do. And if you don’t do it, then just keep the squad you’ve got and forevermore they’ll grow old, achieve less and leave for nothing.”
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