Last update on.From section Newcastle
Klopp has made Newcastle a superpower - Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, believes Newcastle United is a "superpower" in football after their 305m takeover.
After receiving "legally binding assurances", the Saudi Arabian state would not take control, the Premier League approved last week the Saudi-led takeover.
Many human rights issues are linked to the state.
Klopp stated that Newcastle is certain to play a dominant role within world football over the next 20-30 years.
Sky spoke to him and he said: "There are not two opinions about the obvious human right concerns in Saudi Arabia. It's not an issue. However, I am unable to determine how this could have happened despite numerous concerns.
"If we talk only about football, then we must say that they will be a superpower in the long-term."
Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, previously stated that the takeover raises a lot of "deeply troubling" questions about sportswashing and human rights, as well as about the integrity and playability of English football.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) funded 80% of the takeover, whose chair was Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Western intelligence agencies claim he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a claim Bin Salman refutes
Amanda Staveley (director of Newcastle) stated that her PCP Capital firm took concerns about Saudi Arabia's human right record "very seriously", but reiterated that it was not the Saudi state. It's PIF.
Other top-flight clubs complained to the Premier League about the way the deal passed the directors' and owners' tests, and how they were kept informed of the outcome until the announcement.
Klopp stated, "I was waiting to hear from Richard Masters or someone else about it because we all know there is obviously concern about human rights issues." "It's clear that everyone thinks the same thing there.
What does it mean for football?" We had a huge problem a few months back with clubs trying to create a Super League. It didn't happen.
"But this is creating an amazing team. It's almost the same. It's possible to get guaranteed spots in the Champions League in a few years, but not right away.
"Newcastle fans are sure to love it. But it simply means that there is a new superpower in Newcastle.
While money cannot buy everything, it can over time. They can make some mistakes, but then they'll be able to make the right ones and they'll be there.
"We have a new competition" - what did other managers say?
Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea boss: "It is normal for people to have concerns but trust in the Premier League. They have accepted it, and they are the authorities in this matter.
"It seems that we have a new competition for titles and places. This is what we're up to."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United's boss: "I didn’t think it would go through but now that it has it is going to make a difference.
"I don’t know what the new owners plan, so I can’t tell if they will spend lots of money. It’s a great football club with tradition.
"Long-term, it's going be interesting to see and it has been the talking point of football for the last few weeks. That's what they want at the end. "I don't want in on the political debate."
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss: "Looks as if the Newcastle fans were happy. It's business. People took over a club. The people of Newcastle are happy. It's hard to understand why this decision was made.