A heartbroken Amanda Staveley has opened up on her "devastating" exit from Newcastle United, as well as living with Huntington's disease, in a candid wide-ranging interview.
The 51-year-old will step down from her role at St James' Park, almost three years after playing a significant role in brokering the £300 million deal that saw Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) take a majority stake in Newcastle.
Staveley, who is the founder and chief executive of PCP Capital Partners, took a minority 10 per cent stake in the Premier League club alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, bringing Mike Ashley's controversial 14-year reign to an abrupt end.
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But after their stake was reduced to six per cent earlier this year, it emerged in July that Staveley and Ghodoussi would leave after it was reluctantly concluded that the time was right for them to step back and sell their shareholding.
Now, almost three weeks after the news emerged, Staveley has spoken publicly about the decision to leave.
“I’m devastated," she told The Athletic. "It’s such a wonderful club, so it feels very bittersweet. It has become part of my DNA, something you love so much and don’t want to let go. It’s very painful.”
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Staveley was quick to play down claims that the intention was always for her to move on a few years after the October 2021 takeover.
"No, that’s absolute rubbish. I’m heartbroken not to be there because I love the club more than anything; the fans, the community, everything," she continued.
"And I would wish to be there every day, but it’s also not fair. The club’s management team need to have the chance to deliver their business plan. We did a great job and it’s been a privilege to be part of it, but they need to be left to do their jobs, too.
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"Maybe we were right for Newcastle for those few years. Maybe that’s what they needed. But I’d be useless just standing there doing nothing and it wouldn’t be fair on Darren if we’re always there telling them what we think. There’s processes and accountability and they’ll figure it out."
When asked why she doesn't just sit on her investment and 'enjoy the ride' from the directors’ box with less stress, Staveley candidly opened up about her current situation.
“I couldn’t do that,” she said. “And, I’ll be honest, I have a degenerative disease in Huntington’s and I need to work.
“There’s actually some wonderful things that have come out about Huntington’s and a potential cure or the slowing down of the disease and its symptoms but every day is precious and I don’t want to waste time in case I don’t have a huge amount of time. I need to keep my brain active.”
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Huntington's disease is a condition that damages nerve cells in the brain causing them to stop working properly.
It is inherited from a person's parents, with the damage to the brain getting progressively worse over time. It can affect movement, cognition, perception, awareness, thinking, judgement and mental health.
Over time, Huntington's disease is often fatal. Staveley was asked if she was comfortable talking about her journey with the incurable condition.
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“I am because it’s part of my life,” she added. “And I really believe that to keep a healthy mind, the fact that I work is very important. I feel like if I slow down, I will slow down in my mind. I’m actually doing very well and that has a lot to do with working hard and keeping my mind as active and challenged as possible.
“I’m a mum. I want to be around to see my grandkids. My mum died when she was 63. I’m 51 and you just never know. I’ve adapted my lifestyle. I don’t smoke any more, I barely drink, I look after myself. But only by challenging myself through work can I be that version of myself. I can’t take a step back.
“I always try to see it as a positive. Part of my disease is actually my superpower because it allows me to think in a way that other people just don’t think. I have incredible numeracy, I can analyse complex problems very quickly. And I hold myself to a very high standard.
"It’s my nature to be involved and that’s probably not fair on Newcastle’s executive team.”
Topics: Newcastle United, Premier League, Saudi Arabia
Jack Kenmare