When it became painfully clear that Newcastle United had no real contingency plan | OneFootball

Let’s rewind to 1995, when, just like now, Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan were a team on the rise.

Keegan had came in (February 1992) and had managed to narrowly avoid relegation to the old Third Division.

Then bounced back to win Division One with style, then stormed into the Premier League, finishing third in 1993-94.

At the heart of that success was a phenomenal young striker: Andy Cole. Signed from Bristol City, Cole adapted instantly to life in the North East, scoring 12 goals in 12 games to help Newcastle lift the First Division title. He followed that up with an astonishing 41 goals in all competitions the next season, forming a brilliant partnership with the veteran Peter Beardsley.

Strikers scoring at that rate were always on Alex Ferguson’s radar, and sure enough, Cole joined Manchester United midway through the 1994-95 season, having netted 68 goals in just 84 appearances for Newcastle.

The sale — which included a skinny young winger named Keith Gillespie in part exchange — sparked uproar from the Geordie faithful with Kevin Keegan taking to the steps of St James’ Park to explain the decision directly to furious fans.

I revisit this chapter in Newcastle’s history because the parallels with today’s Alexander Isak situation are hard to ignore: once again, our brightest talent is being courted by the country’s currently most successful club.

Nearly 30 years ago, Newcastle United sold their biggest asset to a direct rival. But Keegan had a long-term plan — one he believed would ultimately leave the club in a stronger position.

First came Les Ferdinand. A year later, Alan Shearer arrived for a world record fee.

A few weeks ago, as it became clear that Alexander Isak did indeed want to leave, I spoke with fellow Newcastle United supporting friends. I told them this didn’t have to be a disaster. I was sure the club had a plan — and maybe, just maybe, we’d go on to even better things after his sale.

Unfortunately, my optimism has faded.

Our failed pursuit of Benjamin Sesko made it painfully clear that the club had no real contingency plan. Now, we’re scrambling in transfer purgatory — trying to replace Isak, sign the back up striker we already needed, and hoping Liverpool finally make a move for their top target so we can get this whole sorry saga over with once and and for all.

Back in 1995, the sale of a star striker was a painful but ultimately pivotal moment in Newcastle’s resurgence. This time, however, there’s no sign of a master plan—just hesitation, missed opportunities, and the uneasy sense that we’re reacting rather than building. Without a clear vision or decisive action from the top, Newcastle risk turning what could have been a stepping stone into a stumbling block. And unlike Keegan on the steps of St James’ Park, nobody seems willing—or able—to reassure the fans that something better is coming.