Newcastle's football chief Ross Wilson has insisted that this summer's upheaval at St James' Park was far from chaotic, despite the club losing both their manager and captain in quick succession.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Wilson revealed the Magpies had contingency plans in place for Eddie Howe's potential departure, meaning the club were not caught off guard when it happened. However, he admitted the near-exit of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal was a different story altogether, conceding it "was not part of the plan."
Despite the turbulence of losing key figures across the summer window, Wilson maintains the club navigated the period with control rather than panic, pushing back on any suggestion that Newcastle's off-season was mismanaged or disorganised.
While specifics on succession planning weren't detailed, Wilson's comments paint a picture of a club that felt prepared for managerial change even as it scrambled to fend off interest in its captain from a Premier League rival.