Goal.com

Oct 10, 2012 7:23:00 PM

The Magpies' managing director feels the club are in a strong position on and off the field after securing a controversial four-year deal with the internet loan company

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias has revealed his delight at securing the club's financial and footballing future after signing a new sponsorship deal with Wonga.com. 

The Magpies signed a lucrative four-year-deal with the internet loan company, who will become the club's shirt sponsor for the start of the 2013-14 season.

The organisation have also renamed the team's stadium St James' Park, and will invest in the club's academy.

This follows the eight-year contract extensions recently handed to manager Alan Pardew and members of his backroom staff. Llambias has admitted he is elated with the business the club has done over the past two weeks.

He told the Journal: "It's been a big fortnight - a very big fortnight. For me, it's all about stability.

"To be able to get the coaching staff and the manager on side for eight-year deals, and then complete our sponsorship deal with Wonga, plus the stadium naming rights as part of that - it's a good two weeks, it's a very good two weeks for the club.

"It's all about the season for us now. It's about getting the injuries cleared up - but that's Alan's job. Thank God I don't have to get too involved in that."

The managing director feels the club have bounced back from a difficult start under Mike Ashley, when supporters were calling for him to sell the club early into his Newcastle reign.

However, he now feels the Magpies are in a strong position on and off the field, and is confident of future success under Ashley.

Llambias admitted: "We started off poorly. I came in after the first year, I picked up from there and it's been a difficult, difficult period.

"We have been plugging away, slowly. You don't understand what we have done - we have done a good job. We have been realistic about what this club can do and what it can do in the future.

"Financially we are stable and we will get stronger and stronger. You have to understand, we have got an owner who is not used to failure. What we have got now is a very good format moving forward."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was equally buoyant about the deal and claimed that it could even help the club to break into the top-four.

"It's about building the first team and it's about having the financial muscle to start improving the academy – that's an area where we've lagged behind some of the senior clubs," he said.

"Now there's no reason why we can't be one of those top-four clubs, especially on an organisational front."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!