According to the Daily Star, Saudi Arabian football legend Sami Al-Jaber is set for a role on the Newcastle United board when/if the takeover goes through.
The 47-year-old former striker is currently serving as an advisor to the Saudi General Sports Authority.
Formerly, he has served as club president with Al-Hilal, where he spent the majority of his days a player.
Interestingly, Al-Jaber was the man who appointed Jorge Jesus as manager of Al-Hilal. As you may have seen, Jesus has been linked with the NUFC managers job this week.
Now, the 47-year-old could be set to join the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, as one of the board members at St James’ Park.
Al-Rumayyan is widely expected to become the chairman of Newcastle United, but will be running the club from afar, staying in his native country.
Therefore, the day-to-day running of the club will be left to PCP Partners and the Reuben Brothers, possibly with Al-Jaber there representing the Saudi interests too.
Al-Jaber is a football icon in Saudi Arabia due to his career as a player. He spent most of his career playing for Al-Hilal, but also had a spell on English shores with Wolves.
He appeared in four World Cups and is currently the only Saudi player to ever do so. He captained the national team at two tournaments and, as such, is seen as a football hero in his own nation.
His appointment would mean the board is starting to gain some sort of shape. Amanda Staveley will sit on there, you’d imagine Jamie Reuben will join her, with Al-Rumayyan and Al-Jaber there representing the PIF.
In the immediate aftermath of the takeover (should it go through…), Lee Charnley will stay on in his position for a handover period, but everything settles down he will be moving on.
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