Newcastle bombshell as Amanda Staveley is set to QUIT less than three years after £300million Saudi takeover of club

AMANDA STAVELEY is set to quit her role at Newcastle this summer after three years leading the club.

The 51-year-old played a key role in Newcastle’s Saudi takeover which resulted in her taking a ten per cent share in the club.

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Amanda Staveley is set to leave Newcastle[/caption]

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Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is now expected to run the club without Staveley on the board[/caption]

Staveley stayed on to become a major power broker at St James’ Park and has been the public face of the Saudi owners since 2021 – but she could now sell her shares.

As recently as April, the chief held key talks with Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the release of sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Newcastle eventually received a compensation payment last month.

She is popular with the fans at Newcastle as she often spent time meeting and drinking with them, along with husband and co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

And she also represented the club at Premier League meetings where she was forceful presence, with Newcastle often opposing rule changes introduced by the league such as including restrictions on sponsorship deals.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund paid £300m for 80 per cent of Newcastle in 2021 in a surprise move that has transformed its fortunes and fundamentally changed the Premier League.

Staveley received stake in the club as payment for her involvement in the deal.

Although it has since been reduced to around 6 per cent after she sold some shares to the Reuben brothers, Jamie and David. 

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Staveley was key to the appointment of Eddie Howe[/caption]

The British businesswoman is unlikely to be replaced on Newcastle’s board in the short-term.

The Saudis appointed Darren Eales as the club’s chief executive two years and he is already undertaking many of her original responsibilities.

Staveley has been involved in several high-profile court cases since arriving at Newcastle.

In April, she was ordered by the High Court to pay £3.4m to Greek shipping magnate Victor Restis.

While in 2021, she lost another High Court case against Barclays after suing the bank for £830m in damages over alleged fraud during the 2008 financial crisis.

Since Staveley’s arrival, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League last season – but crashed out in the group stages.

They also made their first final in 24 years in February last year – but lost the Carabao Cup showpiece at Wembley to Man Utd.

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Amanda Staveley helped lead Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final[/caption]