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Chris Waugh

@chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social
9.1K followers 410 following 5.1K posts

#NUFC correspondent for The Athletic. Part of Pod on the Tyne, the Newcastle United podcast - YouTube link: www.youtube.com/@PodontheTyne. Views my own. Also on Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisDHWaugh

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Reposted by Chris Waugh
George Caulkin @georgecaulkin.bsky.social · 4h
Interview with Darren Eales, former #NUFC CEO. On being given the all-clear after a year of cancer treatment, perspective, still living at “home” in the north-east, 5 years post-takeover, the trophy, a racehorse named after Dan Burn and plenty more. Free to read … www.nytimes.com/athletic/767...
nytimes.com
Darren Eales talks cancer, Newcastle, selling Alexander Isak and a racehorse named after Dan Burn
Newcastle's former CEO reflects on his pride in the club 'doing things the right way' and regret at health issues forcing him to step down
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
I haven't checked the stats but it seems to have had a fair bit of engagement & comments, & it has been shared a fair bit. So hopefully it has been fairly well read.
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
⚫ Gross spend = frontloaded 🔎 ⚪ Big expenditure since, but huge sales too ⚖️ ⚫ PIF = PL's 4th-biggest backers 💸 ⚪ Ballooning wages 📈 ⚫ Has gap to legacy 'Big Six' shrunk? 🤔 ⚪ No £100m+ signings 👀 🤑 Dissecting how #NUFC spent £1bn on players in 5 years post-takeover, w/ @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
nytimes.com
How Newcastle spent £1billion on players in five years (Gift Article)
The consistent message has been that Newcastle have looked to spend the maximum permitted within the rules, and they insist it will continue
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
🎙️ @podonthetyne.bsky.social LIVE this evening at @gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk. ⚫⚪ @georgecaulkin.bsky.social is posing there, but @taylorpayne.bsky.social & I (& Producer Ollie) are also here for #NUFC chat & general nonsense. 🎟️ Love forward to seeing you here soon!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Nice. 🥁
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I don't disagree. The very low base from which they starred cannot be overlooked. For the most part, certainly for the first three years, the expenditure has been/was very good as well.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Thank you, yeah. It's absolutely mind-blowing how much Chelsea have put in!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Thank you, really appreciate it & pleased you found it informative! Chris W, my colleague, really does help to inform with the financial insight he can provide.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I know - no longer Newcastle's most expensive ever keeper, though!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Thank you, very kind!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I'm going to start using it as a verb, I think.
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Five years ago this week, Newcastle United were taken over by the PIF and everything changed Since then, they've spent over £1billion gross on new players But on who? And how does it stack up against others? w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/767...
nytimes.com
How Newcastle spent £1billion on players in five years (Gift Article)
The consistent message has been that Newcastle have looked to spend the maximum permitted within the rules, and they insist it will continue
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Thank you, appreciate it!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
You're very welcome. Thanks for reading & engaging.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
You're entitled to your opinion. Not exactly sure why outlining facts is 'moronic shite', but if that's how you feel then fair enough.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
⚫ Gross spend = frontloaded 🔎 ⚪ Big expenditure since, but huge sales too ⚖️ ⚫ PIF = PL's 4th-biggest backers 💸 ⚪ Ballooning wages 📈 ⚫ Has gap to legacy 'Big Six' shrunk? 🤔 ⚪ No £100m+ signings 👀 🤑 Dissecting how #NUFC spent £1bn on players in 5 years post-takeover, w/ @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
nytimes.com
How Newcastle spent £1billion on players in five years (Gift Article)
The consistent message has been that Newcastle have looked to spend the maximum permitted within the rules, and they insist it will continue
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I'm both disgusted & impressed at the same time. It does look like something that would have been sold in Fenwick in the Victorian era.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Thank you. Yeah, I see that. Beyond the castle, which has been given greater due prominence, I am not sure about the specifics of the changes in terms of the rationale behind them & whether anything like that has been incorporated. But that would have been nice.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Hey Joe. Haha I suspect a lot of people are conditioned in that way. Fingers crossed for a second PL away win of the season...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
We shall see. I'm very sympathetic to the argument that Leazes Park should be preserved. I also get Newcastle's belief they need to move.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I do think they initially underestimated the potential opposition to it.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Thanks, & you're very welcome. Yes, it's been a complicated picture so far & it looks set to be moving forwards as well. But hopefully they have the right people/structure in place now.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Thanks!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
⚫ £1.3bn Leazes Park stadium or expand SJP - & how to fund it? 🏟️ ⚪ Multi-club reality? 🌎 ⚫ Revenue catch up possible? 🤑 ⚪ Can #NUFC 2.0 deliver success? ⚽ ⚫ Data/new recruitment model revealed? 🕵️ ⁉️🔎 The 5 key issues still facing #NUFC, 5 years on from the takeover:
nytimes.com
The five key questions facing Newcastle five years on from the takeover (Gift Article)
From the stadium to multi-club ownership and investment in data, are Newcastle on track to deliver on their 'Vision 2030' ambitions?
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Haha nice.
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
👀 The below graphics outline the drastic changes to #NUFC's structure since October 7, 2021 5️⃣ From pared-back & having only one director/board member under Ashley to having a professional, bolstered structure with experts in new key positions 5 years in: www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
⚫ From just Charnley to 12-strong c-suite 🤯 ⚪ Tweak to first-team head of recruitment after Nickson/Andy Howe exit 👀 ⚫ Bunce's increased seniority 🪜 ⚪ Hopkinson's changes 👥 🔎 Who does what at #NUFC now - from chairman, to exec team & key football positions:
nytimes.com
Newcastle’s takeover, five years on: A transformed off-field structure but who does what? (Gift Article)
Five years ago Newcastle had just one executive. Now, the setup is unrecognisable, so we explain how all the different roles work
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Their argument is they will make SJP a brand in its own right. But I can't pretend to really understand these things.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Is this specifically the ticket office?
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🎥 & you can watch @georgecaulkin.bsky.social, @taylorpayne.bsky.social & I on YouTube. 🔗 Follow the link & please like & subscribe to @podonthetyne.bsky.social, #NUFC fans:
youtube.com
Pod on the Tyne
Taylor Payne, George Caulkin, and Chris Waugh bring you expert insight on goings on at Newcastle United.
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Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🔲 Crests, badges & was a 2-year process necessary? 🛡️⏳ 🔳 #NUFC 4th in the post-takeover table 4️⃣ 🔲 Peaks & troughs 🏔️🕳️ 🔳 PL to return 🙌⏲️ 🔲 Sending Waugh to Coventry 🔚 🔳 "Transition" 🗣️ 🎧 New free-to-listen @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ @georgecaulkin.bsky.social @taylorpayne.bsky.social:
pod.fo
Pod On The Tyne: A show about Newcastle United: Sent to Coventry... NUFC back in Premier League action
It's been 84 years... OK, it's only been two and a bit weeks, but it feels like an age since the last Premier League game.In that time, Lewis Hall has established himself as England's first-choice ...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
George has one pending, yes. So fingers crossed.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Haha or Lee Charnley in a broom cupboard...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Hopefully that's the next step...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Yeah, there was a hiring freeze for a bit post-Hopkinson as he assessed things, but he went to the board & asked for another 50 or so jobs, so somewhere between 550-600 I think is where they at/going to be at.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
That's what Wilson is trying to build on the footballing side, yeah.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Thanks Amanda. Yes, including on the top team. Part of that has been deliberate, beyond the fact they think they are also very good & supremely qualified.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
44fn3 is genius... & yes, I am a pedant in that regard!
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I have seen it, yeah. I can't relay the specifics here, but it is basically geared around "one club" & a desire to be elite.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🎥 & you can watch @georgecaulkin.bsky.social, @taylorpayne.bsky.social & I on YouTube. 🔗 Follow the link & please like & subscribe to @podonthetyne.bsky.social, #NUFC fans:
youtube.com
Pod on the Tyne
Taylor Payne, George Caulkin, and Chris Waugh bring you expert insight on goings on at Newcastle United.
042
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🔲 Crests, badges & was a 2-year process necessary? 🛡️⏳ 🔳 #NUFC 4th in the post-takeover table 4️⃣ 🔲 Peaks & troughs 🏔️🕳️ 🔳 PL to return 🙌⏲️ 🔲 Sending Waugh to Coventry 🔚 🔳 "Transition" 🗣️ 🎧 New free-to-listen @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ @georgecaulkin.bsky.social @taylorpayne.bsky.social:
pod.fo
Pod On The Tyne: A show about Newcastle United: Sent to Coventry... NUFC back in Premier League action
It's been 84 years... OK, it's only been two and a bit weeks, but it feels like an age since the last Premier League game.In that time, Lewis Hall has established himself as England's first-choice ...
5135
Reposted by Chris Waugh
Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
📢 @podonthetyne.bsky.social live is coming up THIS Friday at @gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk - featuring @georgecaulkin.bsky.social @taylorpayne.bsky.social , Producer Ollie (& myself - sorry). ⚫⚪ Special #NUFC chat, plus our usual general nonsense I'm sure. 🎫 Remaining tickets here:
gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Pod on the Tyne Live | Newcastle United Podcast | Gosforth Civic Theatre
Following on from three sold-out shows at GCT, Pod on the Tyne is back! The independent and (somehow) award-winning football podcast blends informative analysis with irreverent and downright nonsensic...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The org chart is slightly crude, but yes, they do report into Hopkinson.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
We'll cover that in a piece tomorrow. But the short answer is no.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Interesting. The chart is not extensive below executive level, beyond on the footballing side.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Very much driven by Hopkinson, yeah.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Hi Ali. I don't have a specific figure for today, but I know the plan was to bolster to between 550-600ish over the past year or so. Almost doubled post-takeover.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I assume that's an appointment in the pipeline...
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
You're welcome. & very much so. Interesting that so much of it came over the past 13 months as well.
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Chris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Haha indeed. He receives daily jokes about that!
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