Newcastle fans warned over £300m Saudi takeover by former boss Steve McClaren

Steve McClaren has warned Newcastle fans that the future might not be completely rosy even once the proposed takeover is completed.

The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, has made a £300m bid to buy the Premier League side.

There has been plenty of controversy over the potential deal though most Newcastle fans are optimistic that the future can be bright once the takeover is done.

Though former Magpies boss Steve McClaren has urged the St James’ Park faithful to be cautious and not to get too hopeful.

“You’d like to think it will be done, that’s what everybody has been craving for,” McClaren told talkSPORT.

“The north east is a unique area for football. The Newcastle fans are thinking not another season with Mike Ashley.

“What happens at a football club, as we all see, is the crave to want this and want that. We want the takeover, we want Mike Ashley out, and this and that.

“And it’s going to be great for the first three or four months, but it depends what they do and which direction they go after that.”

He continued: “They may come in and could be one of those [owners] who cut the budget, and they’re not going to give the money or rescue the club. Nobody knows until they come in.

“But what you will get is a huge lift from those supporters wanting change and craving change.

"Football is a religion in the north east, it is a religion in Newcastle.

“They will want to see change, so they must be so frustrated again. But I’ve seen this come up so many times over the years from living in the north east and it never happens.

“And as long as this one drags on then that’s going to slip by as well.”