Amanda Staveley has lifted the lid on her Newcastle United departure earlier this summer admitting she was "devastated" to lose her seat in the boardroom.
Saudi Arabia backers PIF have acquired more of a share in the club with the Reuben family also staying at St James' Park. Staveley admits that it was best that she left the Magpies despite having mixed feelings about her exit.
In an interview with The Athletic, Staveley said: "I’m devastated. 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."
READ MORE: Newcastle United announce board changes as Toon supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan breaks silence
READ MORE: Newcastle United supremo jets in for Japan tour as Magpies aim to make breakthrough
Staveley played down that there had been any fall out and admits that she would have been happy to stay on had that opportunity arisen. Instead CEO Darren Eales will now take the lead and sporting director Paul Mitchell heads up the football department.
The Ripon financier said that she was never just looking to sell up once she had negotiated a deal with Mike Ashley to bring in PIF. She said: "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.
"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.
"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."
Staveley remained on board during Newcastle's last gasp struggle to beat the PSR deadline that resulted in Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh being sold. And she admitted that she feared Anthony Gordon or Alexander Isak may be sold.
She said: "I knew what was coming in terms of me leaving but the fans and PIF deserved every focus of mine. Had I left before (the PSR deadline) and we’d breached, then that would have been bad. It was very, very difficult, but I was determined to make sure Darren has a clear runway.
"My biggest concern was that we’d lose Alex (Isak) or Anthony (Gordon) because Liverpool chased him and both are extraordinary players. Negotiating is tough because you have to pretend it means nothing to you when it means everything."
Newcastle United transfer news straight to your phone on WhatsApp
It's quick and easy to join. Just click this link and select 'Join Community' to get started.
Plus you can follow our new Newcastle United channel right here - just follow this link
Your informational will be hidden, you'll only ever receive messages from the Chronicle Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. For more information, click here. You can read our Privacy Notice here.
