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New York Times
10-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Alexander Isak is the tainted club legend whose future looms large over Newcastle's season
It felt like summer; almost. The sun was a friend, the grass was luminous — that implausible shade of green — and St James' Park was full, not with the baying, boozy rumble of a Premier League crowd but with kids and families, making the most of a rare audience with Eddie Howe's trophy-winners (how good does it feel to say that?). It felt young and optimistic, with that hopeful August buzz and who gives a toss what the scoreline said? Advertisement It felt normal; almost. It has been one of the strangest close-seasons in Newcastle's recent history and one which justifies that perceptive observation of Steve Harper, the club's longest-serving player and now its academy manager, that it is a 'bipolar' institution, where black and white is often opaque. Take a step back; in March, Newcastle beat Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup, their first domestic piece of silverware for 70 years and then, two months later, qualified for the Champions League. Since then, they have made a couple of astute signings in Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale and still have money to spend. They have great players and a great coaching staff. By their standards — by most standards — this is an era of extraordinary accomplishment. Take a step forward and smack headfirst into a brick wall, which is how this transfer window has often seemed. There have been a host of high-profile rejections or gazumpings, leaving the impression that while Newcastle might be a big team, they are not yet a big club and, in any case, big clubs do not operate without a sporting director or a chief executive. It has made for a lot of angst and some existential questions. Looming over all of it has been the sad, enervating situation with Alexander Isak, forever enshrined as a club legend by dint of Wembley last season but now beyond the point of tarnishing that legacy. Isak wants out and wants Liverpool, which is entirely his right, but the thought of Newcastle's best player leaving is unpalatable, made doubly so by his effective exile from the first-team squad. Isak is a beautiful centre-forward, but this has become ugly. There is now less than a week to go before Aston Villa away, where Newcastle's season begins in earnest. From that point, it will become a blur and a slog and there will be little time for reflection. This is the moment when anything and everything is possible, but the position with Isak — which Howe admitted on Friday night has become a 'distraction' to his players — makes predictions even more perilous than usual. Advertisement Right now, there are two possible Newcastles. Or, to put that another way, are Newcastle on a knife-edge? 'I think any season could go one of two ways,' Howe said. 'I understand the question, but I always try to keep a very balanced view on things. It's never as good as you think it is when you feel good and it's never as bad as you think it is when you feel bad. At the moment, I'm very neutral. 'I know the challenges we face. This is a new territory for us but I also believe that from tough moments you can build something even more special if you come out the other side. That's a big if. 'For me, the priority now is the players we have fit and available and making sure they fully understand what's expected of them and making sure we're resilient enough to deal with a lot of outside noise which, through no fault of our own, is negative. We need to cut that out and unite even stronger.' How ready are Newcastle? It was not a loaded question, although it might have felt like one to Howe. The question has been put to him at precisely this moment every year and it was put to him again by The Athletic after a 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid, which meant that pre-season had concluded with a run of six games without a win. It is not an overwhelming argument for billowing confidence. 'It's been a challenging pre-season,' Howe said. 'The players have worked incredibly hard and the games we've had have been very difficult. Now the priority is Villa and putting out an XI and a squad that can hopefully win the game.' Being ready isn't everything. Twelve months ago Howe had said, 'We will be ready', but the word 'will' was sweating. After the fire sale that lost Newcastle Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh and earned them £60million ($81m), uncertainty rippled through the dressing room; Chelsea had enquired about Isak and there had been talks with Liverpool over Anthony Gordon. Howe struggled to get heads straight and focused. Advertisement That window was pretty calamitous, too. There was a long pursuit of Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, led by Paul Mitchell, the sporting director who did not see out a year in post, but that failed and Howe's first-team remained untouched. In the end, how much did either of those things truly matter? 'It's transfer window ratings,' Howe said on Friday night. 'Everyone rates transfer windows when they shut and they say 'that's a 10' or 'that's a one'. We didn't sign many players last summer and everyone said it's a disastrous window and PSR (the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules) is affecting our long-term success… We go on to have one of the best seasons in recent memory. So signing players doesn't guarantee everything.' It does tend to help, though, and when Newcastle have managed it, their hit rate has been exceptional. At the time of writing — and with Isak the obvious caveat — there is still scope for this to be a positive, successful window. 'Yeah, it can,' Howe said. 'If you get it right it can take your squad forward to a different area. We're in a position where we haven't recruited for so long and we're very keen to add new stimulus to the group. Change is sometimes a really good thing for the squad. But if we had to go with the squad that we have into the season, I would do that very proudly. I'd bank on the lads proving everybody wrong again.' Miracles happen; Newcastle, now on zero years without a major trophy, stopped the clocks. It is asking too much of Howe — surely — for miracles to happen again. Games against Espanyol and Atletico over consecutive days showcased the strengths and flaws of Howe's squad. In Ramsdale and Nick Pope, Newcastle have two goalkeepers of experience. At full-back, they have three England internationals in Kieran Trippier (retired), Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. England's Dan Burn will compete for left centre-half with Sven Botman. Wide right there is Elanga and Jacob Murphy, wide left there is Gordon and Harvey Barnes. Howe's first-choice midfield of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton will be as feisty and gifted as any in the league. If there is now a lack of cover following Sean Longstaff's move to Leeds United and the latest calf injury to befall Joe Willock — he is likely to miss four to six weeks — then there are signs from young Lewis Miley that he is sprinting back to form. There is a gap for reinforcements, just as there is at right centre-half behind the estimable Fabian Schar. Advertisement There is one gaping hole, of course, physically, mentally, spiritually. Isak's absence from the squad leaves Howe without an established centre-forward. For most of pre-season Will Osula has been starting up front, but the Denmark Under-21 international has not begun a game for Newcastle in the Premier League. Against Atletico, Gordon was deployed as a false nine. Last season, Isak scored 23 league goals, Gordon got six and Osula one. If Isak stays and can be rehabilitated and reintegrated — Howe was unusually terse when he said on Friday 'it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group' — Newcastle again have the makings of a formidable team. If he goes, they lose a world-class forward but their capacity to buy rises exponentially, although spending the money they already have has proved problematic. Between those two ifs is the corrosive limbo of the present. 'The group's been disrupted, of course, but I think whenever you have a player in this situation, it's unsettling for the team,' Howe said. 'I don't think we've been in that position since I've been here. The harmony and togetherness of the group has been at its highest. So I think naturally it's just been a topic of conversation. It's been a distraction.' Disaffected players can be squad-killers. Newcastle have a fine team, in the old-fashioned collective sense of the word, and it is not surprising if there is irritation and bemusement at Isak's attitude. At the same time, it is not as simple as Howe washing his hands of Isak and sanctioning a sale, were Liverpool to get somewhere close to their £150m valuation. What message would that send to those same players: throw your toys out of the pram and get your move? The contrast between Isak and Elanga and Ramsdale, whose enthusiasm at joining Newcastle has been a welcome reminder of the club's stature and promise, has been stark. Howe must consider and protect this, too. Elanga looked very decent against Atletico, wriggling down the right with blistering pace. He is quick and direct. Ultimately, he also needs somebody to pass the ball to. The start of every season is a question mark. Nobody can say with certainty which direction will be taken and 12 months ago Newcastle were defined by their inconsistency, emerging from a chaotic summer and rocky autumn to become history-makers. But look at them now and what do you see, beyond the abeyance of the here and now and Isak, the legend wearing a fractured crown? When Howe was asked, yet again, about the Sweden international, he said the following: 'Everything is in play because, as I've said many times, he is contracted to us, he's our player. The club basically makes the decision on his future. I don't know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome. I want the best and strongest squad possible.' Advertisement That pointed in one direction, but the sentence which followed pointed in another. 'Also, I want players that really want to play for this football club,' he said. Are we excited yet? Definitely, maybe, to use a phrase which is once more in vogue. Almost. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle United complete signing of 'elite talent' as incoming transfer is confirmed
NEWCASTLE UNITED have completed the signing of South Korean winger Seung-soo Park from K League 2 side Suwon Bluewings. The 18-year-old has made 28 senior appearances for the Bluewings in all competitions, registering one goal and three assists. Park, who has been capped five times for South Korea Under-20s, will join the club's academy and link up with the Magpies' Under-21 squad. Park said: "It's a huge honour to join Newcastle United. It's a big step for me and I feel incredibly thankful for the faith the club have shown in me. "I'm excited to develop here, learn from the coaches, and give everything to become the best player I can be." READ MORE:After coming through the youth system at Suwon Bluewings, Park became the youngest goalscorer in the history of South Korean professional football when he netted in a 1-1 draw against Ansan Greeners FC in June 2024. Magpies academy director, Steve Harper, added: "Park is an exciting young talent with real potential. "He's already shown maturity beyond his years in a competitive environment and we're delighted to welcome him to the club. "His signing reflects our commitment to identifying and developing elite talent from across the globe and credit must go to our recruitment network, who continue to do an excellent job in identifying talented young players who have the potential to thrive here. "We've seen our talent pathway produce some outstanding success stories in recent seasons and Park now joins a group of young players with that same opportunity ahead of them."
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Magpies sign South Korean teenager Park
Newcastle have signed South Korean winger Park Seung-soo from Suwon 18-year-old scored one goal and registered three assists in 28 senior appearances for the K League 2 side and has featured for South Korea Under-20s five will initially join up with the Magpies under-21 squad."It's a huge honour to join Newcastle United," he said. "It's a big step for me and I feel incredibly thankful for the faith the club have shown in me."I'm excited to develop here, learn from the coaches, and give everything to become the best player I can be."Academy director Steve Harper added: "Park is an exciting young talent with real potential."He's already shown maturity beyond his years in a competitive environment."His signing reflects our commitment to identifying and developing elite talent from across the globe."
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Newcastle youth coach O'Carroll joins Sparta Prague
Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Diarmuid O'Carroll has joined Czech First League side Sparta Prague as a first-team 38-year-old had been in charge since September 2024 and led the academy side to a ninth-placed finish in Premier League 2.O'Carroll follows former youth coaches Ben Dawson and Graeme Carrick, who recently left roles within Newcastle's academy set-up to secure senior first-team coaching positions away from St James' United academy director Steve Harper said: "The opportunity to work in Europe is an exciting one for him and we wish him the best of luck as his coaching career continues."He is the third professional development phase coach to be headhunted from our academy for a first-team senior football role in the past 12 months, which demonstrates that our academy development pathway works not just for players but for staff too."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lancaster voters to see another sales tax referendum for roads plan. What we know
Lancaster County is a step closer to a new 1% sales tax to fund roads, but only if voters approve it this time. Lancaster County Council voted 5-2 on Monday to put a sales-tax-for-roads proposal back on the ballot this November. It'll take two more council votes to finalize the decision. Last November, more than 52% of county voters rejected a new tax for roads. That proposal would've taxed sales for up to 15 years and generated up to $405 million. Now, the county would ask voters for a tax that would last 10 years or generate $253 million. All council members want the road funding option, but Councilman Steve Harper and Councilman Billy Mosteller had concerns about the timing. 'This is much needed,' Harper said. 'My biggest concern is eight months ago, my voters told me no on this. I just think it's one year too soon.' Mosteller has concerns that if county voters turn down the proposal this fall, it might never pass. County officials see the sales tax as a committed funding source for large road projects that doesn't exist there now, similar to the voter-approved Pennies for Progress program in York County. 'Our citizens said no in November, and it needs more time for planning and educating our citizens on what council is trying to do,' Mosteller said. With Lancaster County one of the highest-growth areas in the Charlotte and Southeast regions, though, other council members have concerns about waiting. Nearly half of voters last November voted for the new tax. 'They've been waiting on something like this for a very long time,' said Councilman Stuart Graham. The sales tax rate in Lancaster County would increase from 8% to 9% if voters approve the ballot question in November. The proposed road improvement list could change before the ballot is approved, but the $253 million figure wouldn't. The plan would put $98 million to major road widening like U.S. 521 and Henry Harris Road. Nine intersection improvements would cost $38 million. Another $20 million would go to four roundabouts, two of them on Shiloh Unity Road. The tax would generate $5 million for administration costs and $2 million for greenways and sidewalks. 'A program like this we would probably have to add on some more staff and have a manager of the project,' said Jeff Catoe, county public works director. The remaining $90 million would go to repaving. A proposed list has portions of 40 county or state roads, 51 in Lancaster, 32 in Kershaw and eight in Heath Springs. The ballot would have two related questions. One would ask voters if the county could charge the new tax, and the other would ask if the county could borrow money against that tax revenue if it passes. Borrowing would allow road work to start sooner than waiting for 10 years of tax collections would. November's ballot also would state which roads would be improved if the tax passes. Last fall, there were separate road plans that the tax would cover, but it wasn't attached to the ballot. 'We tried to be much more overt about what the projects are,' said County Administrator Dennis Marstall. A new tax campaign will have to overcome a stark split in support. Both the roads and a separate school bond that failed last November had proposals that focused heavily on high-growth Indian Land. The panhandle part of U.S. 521 got the bulk of attention, and would again this November. All 11 voting precincts north of Van Wyck opted to approve a new tax for roads last year. All 25 precincts south of Van Wyck voted against it. In the northernmost precinct, more than 63% voted in favor. In the three southernmost precincts, 67%-70% voted against. With a presidential election last year, voter turnout was much higher than it's likely to be this fall. Nearly 55,000 ballots were cast in November, for a nearly 80% voter turnout. The county continues to look for other road funding options in Indian Land. A recent application to the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank asks for $40 million. The new road tax, county officials say, could provide money the county could use to attract other funds through grant matches or partnerships.
