World-renowned architects Populous are set to design Newcastle United’s new training ground, Confidential can reveal.
The US-based company, with offices in the UK and Australia, were the architects behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and have drawn the plans for Roma’s new 65,000-capacity home. They were also the brains behind the impressive Real Madrid Sports City, the training base that houses the senior and youth teams of the Spanish giants.
That is the level of ambition Newcastle’s Saudi-led owners will insist on, with the Madrid facility including a small stadium, all-weather pitches, swimming pools and a media suite.
Interestingly, Populous drew plans for a new training centre for Queens Park Rangers that they showcase on their website – it was never built – and it gives an insight into their work and how parts of the Newcastle design could look.
The collaboration with Newcastle is a major coup for both the club and Populous, with several firms competing for the contract to design a state-of-the-art complex that is intended to be the envy of the Premier League. Tyneside-based architects FaulknerBrowns could also assist in the project.
We understand that two sites made the shortlist – land near Newcastle Racecourse, owned by the Reuben family, and in Woolsington, close to Newcastle Airport. The racecourse is the most likely.
Newcastle have hired Populous to build their state-of-the-art training facility (plans for QPR’s training ground which are still showcased on their website pictured)
Populous also designed Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training base which houses both the senior and youth sides
Newcastle are likely to use a different firm to design their stadium project, whether that ends up as a renovation of St James’ Park or a new build on Leazes Park
The next steps will be drawing up the ambitious plans, confirming the preferred site and contracting builders and engineers to undertake the work. However, sources say completion is still several years away.
For now, Eddie Howe and his squad will remain at their Benton base. Confidential revealed in November that expansion work is due to begin on that site, with extra buildings added to an area currently used as a car park.
Meanwhile, we have been told that Populous’ involvement with the new training ground does not mean they will also be the architects who work on the stadium project, despite their expertise in this area. Sources have indicated it is likely that Newcastle will use two different firms.
We understand Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture have visited Riyadh and they have worked with the club before, although no decision has been taken on who will design the renovation of St James’ Park or a new build on Leazes Park.
Construction companies are also now jostling for position to lead the developments, with Bowmer + Kirkland and Laing O’Rourke among those in the running.
But the training ground news is sure to be welcomed by supporters, especially given the reputation of Populous in the sports industry. Some of their work in American sports is breathtaking.
The hope will be that, after decades of using a facility that would not rank in the top half of Premier League training grounds, Newcastle will have a complex that helps to attract and then develop the world’s best players.
Describing their work at Real Madrid, Populous state: ‘The site is made up of various outdoor training fields including two all-weather, full-size soccer fields, with exclusive facilities for the first team, including a separate goalkeeping field and other special outdoor training facilities. There is also a 20,000-seat stadium with an open bowl where the second division team of Real Madrid play.
Newcastle want to have a complex that will attract and develop the world’s best players
‘The indoor facilities include a major academy where the youth programme manages both the academy and sports education and training. The various indoor & outdoor facilities include a press room, media suites, physio area, indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam bar and several functions rooms.’
Populous declined to comment.
UNITEDS DO BATTLE
Newcastle and Manchester United scouts have run an into each on several occasions of late, Confidential can reveal.
Magpies recruitment chief Steve Nickson and Simon Wells, his opposite number at Man United, were in attendance at the Ligue 1 clash between Lille and Nice on January 17.
Both were there to check on Jonathan David, the Canadian striker who is out of contract in the summer. The 25-year-old, scorer of 102 goals in five seasons in France, has no shortage of suitors.
But we understand that Nickson and Wells also returned reports on Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, the Iceland international who can operate in midfield or as a winger. The 21-year-old scored that night during Lille’s 2-1 win, and he has won comparison to Luka Modric for his ability on the ball.
Haraldsson, who has already been capped 19 times by his country, was then watched by scouts from several Premier League clubs as Lille were beaten 2-1 at Liverpool in the Champions League this week. One observer told me he was the best player on the pitch. He is certainly one to watch for the summer.
Newcastle scouts were in attendance to watch Jonathan David’s Lille take on Nice last week
Also on the scouts’ radar was Iceland international Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (pictured left)
Meanwhile, Nickson was also in the stands for the 2-2 draw between Brentford and Manchester City on January 14. Again, he was joined by Man United, this time in the form of scout Steve Head. It is thought both clubs were checking on Brentford forward Bryan Mbuemo.
Newcastle have also been keeping tabs on Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter, the versatile left-sider. However, the 23-year-old signed a new contact until the summer of 2031 this month, indicating that his future lies in West London.
SOL FOCUS
The prospect of PIF chief Jacobo Solis replacing Darren Eales as Newcastle’s chief executive has been played down by club sources.
It has been the talk of industry circles in recent weeks that Solis could be in line to take over from Eales, who announced last year he will be stepping down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.
Thankfully, Eales’ long-term prognosis is said to be positive, and he is continuing in his role until a successor is identified.
Solis was appointed to the Newcastle board earlier this month and, given his background in sport, it was suggested to Confidential that the Spaniard could take over as chief executive down the line.
However, with Solis holding the position of Head of European Investments with PIF, it is said his portfolio is too wide-ranging to focus solely on Newcastle. He sits on the board of several PIF investments, including LIV Golf.
It is one to watch for now, for Solis has been hands-on with Newcastle since the takeover. While not always publicised, he has been involved in almost every major decision behind the scenes.
PIF Head of European Investments Jacobo Solis was appointed to the Newcastle board earlier this month
Meanwhile, we have been told that news on the identity of the new chief executive should not be expected any time soon. External recruitment specialists have been contracted and, sources say, the search continues.
CHERRIES CAN PICK THEM, WHY CAN’T WE?
It was an interesting weekend for Newcastle to hold their scouting summit on Tyneside, with Bournemouth the visitors to St James’ Park last Saturday.
With the focus on youth recruitment and seminars taking place on Friday at the Hilton Hotel and then at the club’s academy on Sunday, the scouts also attended the 4-1 defeat by the Cherries.
And there they would have witnessed the fruits of Bournemouth’s savvy transfer business. Centre backs Dean Huijsen (19) was a £12.8million buy from Juventus, while sidekick Illya Zabarnyi (22) was bought for £24m from Dinamo Kyiv.
I’m told that that pair looked at Alexander Isak in the warm-up before the game and made a pact not to allow him to score for a ninth straight Premier League game. They came good on their vow.
Illya Zabarnyi beats Alexander Isak in the air at St James’ Park after his pact with Dean Huijsen
Huijsen, 19, was another shrewd Bournemouth addition, signing for £12.8m from Juventus
Meanwhile, winger Antoine Semenyo (25) cost just £10m and left back Milos Kerkez (21) was a £15m addition. That is before we mention hat-trick hero Justin Kluivert (25), who was a £10m purchase from Roma.
It was a timely reminder that value does exist below the big-ticket signings chased by the top clubs. Sporting director Paul Mitchell wants Newcastle to focus more on this level of acquisition, and the challenge is for him and his scouting network to identify those players.
Mitchell gave a speech to the scouts at the Hilton, and there were also presentations by academy director Steve Harper and head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley.
CITY SLICKER IN UZBEK CHASE
One player who Newcastle have missed out on is new Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
It was reported that the Magpies were among the clubs interested in signing the Lens centre-back, who joined City for £34m this week.
And sources have confirmed that Newcastle were keen on striking a deal that would have brought Khusanov to Tyneside, be that on loan with a view to a permanent transfer or in the summer.
However, City have beaten them to the 20-year-old’s signature and Newcastle’s search for reinforcement at right-sided centre-back continues. PSR limitations mean they could not act at the speed with which City did in securing the Uzbek international this month.
Abdukodir Khusanov (centre) was snapped up by Manchester City for £34million this week
TOON TEASER!
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… can you name the THIRTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday since 1992?
The answers were; Rolando Aarons, Leon Best, Kevin Gallacher, Jeff Hendrick, Shefki Kuqi, Achraf Lazar, Daryl Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Oguchi Onyewu, Nile Ranger, Pavel Srnicek, James Tavernier and Steve Watson.
This week’s question is: can you name the EIGHTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Norwich since 1992. I enjoyed this one, all very gettable bar two or three, which are hard. Good luck!