Amanda Staveley admits she’s ‘devastated’ over her Newcastle exit but insists the club are in ‘incredibly safe hands’ – before revealing she could ‘move on to other projects’ amid Tottenham links

Amanda Staveley has revealed how ‘devastated’ she was after leaving Newcastle before admitting she could ‘move on to other projects’ in the near future. 

Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghoudouss played an influential role in the Saudi Arabia-led £305million takeover in 2021 before stepping away earlier this month. 

After spending nearly three years with the Magpies, Staveley helped them reach the Champions League for the first time in 20 years and made the final of the Carabao Cup.

Now, the 51-year-old, has reflected on her departure from the club and insisted that she’s ‘devastated’ to have left the Premier League side.

Speaking to The Athletic, Staveley said: ‘I’m devastated. It’s such a wonderful club, so it feels very bittersweet. It has become part of my DNA, something you love so much and don’t want to let go. It’s very painful.’ 

Staveley and Ghodoussi (left), had a crucial role in Eddie Howe’s (middle) appointment 

‘And I would wish to be there every day, but it’s also not fair. The club’s management team need to have the chance to deliver their business plan. We did a great job and it’s been a privilege to be part of it, but they need to be left to do their jobs, too.

‘Maybe we were right for Newcastle for those few years. Maybe that’s what they needed. But I’d be useless just standing there doing nothing and it wouldn’t be fair on Darren [Eales] if we’re always there telling them what we think. There’s processes and accountability and they’ll figure it out.’

The English businesswoman is the chief executive of PCP Capital Partners, one of the three consortium members alongside Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, which bought the club from Sports Direct tycoon, Mike Ashley, in 2021.

Along with husband Ghodoussi, Staveley took a 10 per cent stake in the club in the initial takeover, before reducing their share to six per cent – enabling Saudi PIF to increase their 80 per cent stake to 85 per cent.

Asked if she feels the club is in safe hands, she repleid: ‘Oh yes, incredibly safe. The Reuben family are like my family, and PIF are as well. Yasir is one of my best friends. 

‘They will treasure it as much as I treasure Newcastle. The club has all the ingredients and the thing I love about the Geordies is that they know how to stand up for themselves.’ 

Meanwhile, Staveley and Ghoudoussi are said to be pursuing other business interests – with recent reports linking them with a move for Tottenham.

According to Bloomberg, she is said to have held talks about the possibility of investing in Tottenham after raising £500m through her investment fund PCP Capital Partners.

 Staveley (left) and husband Mehrdad Ghoudoussi (right) recently left Newcastle

It is believed Daniel Levy (above) – who was appointed as Tottenham’s Chairman in 2001 – would be open to selling part of the club

Asked as to whether there was truth to these reports, Staveley said: ‘My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that. 

‘I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.

‘Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. 

‘Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.