David Hopkinson was remarkably bullish when taking on the role of Newcastle United chief executive at the end of last year.
The Canadian reckoned he could put Newcastle "in the debate about being the top club in the world" by 2030.
After Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland, they are not even the top club in the north east in terms of the current Premier League table.
Manager Eddie Howe, under pressure for the first time in his four and a half years at St James' Park, was asked if the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) project was running out of steam.