AdminNewcastle United’s momentum since the Saudi Arabia-led takeover appears to have slowed, while Tottenham Hotspur continue to struggle in their attempts to maintain consistency in cup competitions. According to one Premier League icon, both clubs need to re-evaluate their priorities.
Alan Shearer, a Newcastle legend, has criticised the lack of focus placed on securing domestic trophies by both Spurs and the Magpies.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer didn’t hold back in his assessment of their approach.
“I do find it frustrating at times,” Shearer said. “I understand it to a certain degree from the manager’s point of view because he’s got to keep all of his squad happy and finish higher in the league, which is then more beneficial to the chairman and the football club.
But I’m of the same opinion, particularly with teams like Tottenham and Newcastle, who could really do with a trophy.”
Shearer’s frustrations are rooted in clear facts. Newcastle’s last major victory as a top-flight club was the Intertoto Cup in 2006, while Spurs haven’t lifted silverware since the 2008 League Cup.
This season, both teams are in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals—Newcastle facing Brentford, and Spurs set to meet Manchester United.
The issue, however, lies beyond tactics or team selection. It’s about finances. Clubs are locked in a financial arms race, where league performance surpasses the status of cup victories.
Shearer’s argument highlights the modern reality: league finishes secure revenue and stability, while trophies are seen as a luxury.
For clubs like Newcastle and Spurs, turning the tide would require a philosophical shift, focusing on the cultural and emotional value of silverware over the constant pursuit of financial growth. But with owners focused on brand value and profits, such change remains unlikely.
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