Lawyer Nick De Marco insists former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley's attitude was crucial to the sale to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Ashley turned to De Marco, alongside Shaheed Fatima, to launch a dispute with the Premier League over the sale of Newcastle. The top-flight had refused to green-light the buy-out led by The Public Investment Fund.
Ashley was not taking the impasse lying down, and De Marco firmly believes that without the retail tycoon's desire to see the deal completed, he may still be in charge today.
De Marco told Chronicle Live: "To be honest Mike Ashley is one of the best clients I have had in football and I have had many. As with most people who have reached his level of success without being handed it on a plate he is very hardworking and expects the same from those around him.
“But he listens carefully to the advice he receives (which is certainly not the case for many in this business) and he gives clear instructions. I have no doubt that without Mike's determination and intuition, and that of those who work closely with him, the takeover would never have happened. It was at times far more difficult than perhaps most people imagine."
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