Mike Ashley: I regret buying Newcastle, but I'm wedded to the club now
ByReuters
Updated 22/03/2016 at 15:02 GMT
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has expressed regrets about getting into football but has affirmed that he has no interest in selling the club.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in the stands
Image credit: Reuters
In his second public interview in 10 months, the Sports Direct founder has stated that he will not quit even if the Toons are relegated from Premier League.
"I've got no choice," he said. "I am wedded to Newcastle like Sports Direct.
"They've got me and I've got them. That's just the way it is.
"Do I regret getting into football? The answer is yes. I have had tonnes of fun in it but I haven’t been able to make the difference I wanted to in football like I have at Sports Direct.
"I wanted to help Newcastle, I wanted to make it better, that’s what I wanted to do. I haven’t seemed to have had that affect.
"Let’s hope Rafa can do the business and keep us up there."
Newcastle lie second from bottom with 25 points after a 1-1 draw against rivals Sunderland on Sunday.
"[The situation] is disappointing, because I personally want to win every game at Newcastle United. It doesn't matter who we're playing - it doesn't matter if it's a friendly," Ashley told British media.
"I wanted us to win [against Sunderland] and I'm a little disappointed. But it's not a disaster."
With the recent appointment of Rafael Benitez meeting with renewed optimism among supporters, Ashley hopes that the optimism will transfer into the pitch.
"I think we've got the right man in the job. If there's any chance of us staying up - let's hope Rafa can do the business and keep us up," he said.
Relegation from the Premier League could cost clubs upto £100 million due to the advent of the eight billion pounds telecast deal from the start of 2016/17 season.
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