Ex-Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley reduced to tears after hearing fan message thanking her for reconnecting club 'with its soul'

While Staveley and Ghodoussi sold their stake last year to PIF, the ex-Newcastle director remains emotionally attached to the club and during a podcast, she was reduced to tears after hearing a message of gratitude from a fan. The 52-year-old business executive oversaw the rise in Newcastle's fortunes from relegation strugglers to regular top-four challengers.

On the High Performance Podcast, Staveley received the heartwarming message that read: "We are grateful for the investment, for the progress on the pitch and finally being able to see our club compete again. But a football club is more than just a business. It is a community, it is a family. And families thrive on communication, warmth and understanding. Without Mandy leading the charge in that regard Newcastle United risks losing a vital connection with its soul - the loyal, passionate black-and-white army. For the club to rediscover its voice, to reconnect with its fans and to bring back some of that much-needed warmth that Amanda Staveley so brilliantly provided."

Staveley then responded: "That's really hard. God, sorry. That is really hard because that is really lovely and that is why I went into Newcastle because the fans are just so incredible and they really are. Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done and took a long time to understand and do what is right for the club and PIF is going to be an incredible partner for Newcastle, and the Reubens. We left it in very safe hands. There are so many great people with great hearts who put so much into that club and into the community and in to everything about it. So for me it was a privilege. Every day I would go to work and think, 'God, I am so lucky to do this job'."

Eddie Howe's Newcastle side will be back in action in the Premier League this weekend as they host Wolves on Saturday. The Magpies have endured a difficult start to their campaign, failing to win any of their first three matches.