Newcastle United players realise that promises from the hierarchy about winning major silverware within five to 10 years of the 2021 takeover were premature, according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies were tipped to become a force to be reckoned with after their takeover by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, but things have not gone to plan.
The starting XI has not been improved during the last two transfer windows, and there have been delays to the plans for a new stadium and training ground.
The St James Park club finished fourth in the Premier League in 2022-23 and qualified for the Champions League the following season, participating in the competition for the first time in 20 years as a result.
However, they narrowly missed out on Europe at the end of last season, and it will take a significant improvement from them going forward this season to play continental football next term.
Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes now believe that winning a domestic cup or lesser European prize is a more realistic target for Newcastle.
Fans will agree that they are no closer to challenging for the Premier League or Champions League.
Although they have only been around for three years, the players now realise PIF’s promise of becoming number one in the world before 2031 is unrealistic.
Doubts continue to emerge over the speed of the PIF project at Newcastle, with investment in the squad slowing evidently in recent months.
It will take a miracle for them to start challenging Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City for the title anytime soon.
