Why Red Bull takeover of Newcastle has started so badly

Why Red Bull takeover of Newcastle has started so badlyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Newcastle Red Bulls have won only three of their last 55 Prem fixtures stretching back to March 2023 ByAdam LaniganBBC Sport, North East & Cumbria Published30 minutes ago5 CommentsWith two rounds of the regular Prem season to go, there is a familiar sight at the bottom of the table.For the fourth straight year, Newcastle Red Bulls are marooned in last place, struggling to cope against teams with more quality and depth.Newcastle are certain to finish last, 19 points behind ninth-placed Gloucester, with The Prem's most northerly outfit six points shy of the total they managed last season and with one fewer win. They are conceding an average of 47.75 points per game and scoring just 16.18, demonstrating just how far behind the rest they are. The Red Bull revolution arrived with much fanfare as the energy drink giant took over the north-east club last August, but it has been a season of struggle again on the field.Nine months on, it feels like the project is waiting for take-off, as Red Bulls await their rugby wings. Newcastle release 26 players in summer clear-outPublished4 days agoRed Bull completes Newcastle Falcons takeoverPublished12 August 2025Red Bull arriving on the scene was a huge moment for Newcastle and English rugby in general.It saved the Falcons from potentially going the same way as Worcester Warriors, London Irish and Wasps had previously and, at the same time, it was bringing to the domestic game the expertise and marketing ability already seen in football, Formula 1 and other sports.But in sport, timing is everything. And in rugby, taking over a club team in August leaves you well behind the eight-ball.Most clubs are busy recruiting players for the new season between January and April, so the best players are signed up long before teams start returning for pre-season training.So when Red Bull arrived in August, it was a race against time for Newcas...