But this week we hear Ashley is indeed on the case.
Newcastle continue to work behind the scenes regarding the new head coach, but as the days pass it does become increasingly likely that John Carver will be carrying the can until the end of this season.
We understand that while Mike Ashley has been involved in the process, although managing director Lee Charnley has looked abroad.
The club’s owner put Dennis Wise and then Joe Kinnear into important roles and he suffered for it.