Report: Newcastle contact Magpies cult hero with Sunderland scalp over SJP return

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United have reportedly made contact with Magpies cult hero Nikos Dabizas regarding an executive role at St James’ Park, according to The Chronicle.

The Premier League club is in the final stages of a takeover bid, with the Magpies now very close to being bought off Mike Ashley.

PCP Capital Partners, headed by Amanda Staveley, have brokered the £300million deal which is being backed by the Saudi Arabian royal family’s Public Investment Fund.

Ashley and PCP have entered into a binding agreement, with terms agreed last week and a deposit paid, and documentation has been sent to the Premier League.

Newcastle’s prospective new owners are expected to have major ambitions upon arriving at St. James’ Park, but as well as players and coaches, they are seemingly eager to bring in new figures across the board.

The Chronicle report claims that “contact has been made with Dabizas about a possible Director of Football or executive role in a new St James’ Park regime, according to sources close to the former Newcastle player” and “would be delighted to return home and would welcome any talks.”

Dabizas, who played for Newcastle between 1998 and 2004, has been impressing at Greek giants Panathinaikos and is reportedly keen on returning to St James’ Park.

The 46-year-old “has helped rebuild the Athens side, wheeling and dealing efficiently and also promoting players from the club’s academy,” wrote The Chronicle.

“A crowd favourite as a player, he has his UEFA pro licence and executive master for international players.

“Dabizas also retains representation in the area in the form of Paul Monaghan, an agent with Newcastle-based St James’ Square Sports Management.”

Dabizas also helped Newcastle to a famous victory away at Sunderland in February 2002, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

TBR View:

As well as being a cult hero at Newcastle, complete with winning goal on their main rivals’ turf, Dabizas has been excelling in a similar role at Panathinaikos, has representation in the area and is seemingly very eager to make a return.

For years, Newcastle fans have had to put up with mediocrity and club figures they’ve not been fond of, to say the least, but with reports linking high-profile players and coaches, as well as fan favourites such as Dabizas and Kevin Keegan, it really seems to bode well for the future.