Ashley 'wedded' to struggling Newcastle

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has vowed to stand by the club, even if they are relegated from the Premier League.

The Magpies are currently second from bottom of the table, three points adrift of safety, with eight games remaining.

Asked if he would stick with the club in the event of relegation, Ashley said: “Yes, I think I’ve got no choice.

“I’m wedded to Newcastle. They have got me and I have got them, that’s just the way it is.”

Ashley, who bought the club in 2007, saw them relegated in 2009 but they returned to the top flight immediately, after winning the Championship title in 2010.

The Sports Direct owner’s time at St James’s Park has been filled with controversy but he backed investment in the squad, with more than £82m spent during the last two transfer windows, and replaced manager Steve McClaren with former Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez earlier this month.

Ashley insists he has faith in Benitez after £14.5m signing Aleksandar Mitrovic struck late to earn a point in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

“I think we have the right man in the job,” he said. “If there’s any chance of us staying up, let’s hope Rafa can do the business and keep us up there.”

However, while Ashley admitted he was disappointed they had not won on Sunday, he said was not too downhearted with the 1-1 result.

“It’s disappointing because I personally want to win every game for Newcastle United and it really doesn’t matter who they are playing,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly, doesn’t matter what it is, but yesterday I wanted us to win, so I’m a little disappointed. But it’s not a disaster.”

BBC Sport – Football

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