Mehrdad Ghodoussi faces wrath of Newcastle United supporters with cheeky 18-word Sunderland message
The Tyne-Wear Derby Returns to the Premier League Next Season After Nearly a Decade
One of English football’s most intense rivalries is back on the big stage. For the first time in nine years, Newcastle United and Sunderland will clash in the Premier League, reigniting the fierce Tyne-Wear derby that has been absent from the top flight since 2016.
Sunderland sealed their long-awaited return to the Premier League in dramatic fashion, defeating Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final. Under the guidance of head coach Régis Le Bris, the Black Cats showed incredible resilience.
They trailed at half-time after Tyrese Campbell fired Sheffield United into the lead, but second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda and teenage sensation Tommy Watson completed a thrilling late comeback, sending the Wearside club back into the Premier League.
Their promotion not only marks a new chapter for Sunderland but also sets the stage for two highly anticipated derby encounters with their Tyneside rivals, Newcastle United. The prospect of St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light hosting these emotionally charged matches once again has fans from both sides eagerly awaiting the new season.
When Will the Premier League Confirm the Derby Dates?
While supporters are already circling their calendars, the exact dates for the Tyne-Wear showdowns will be revealed when the Premier League releases its full fixture list for the 2025/26 season. The league has confirmed that fixtures will be officially announced at 09:00 BST on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
According to an official Premier League statement:
“The release of the fixtures for the 2025/26 Premier League season has been confirmed to take place at 09:00 BST on Wednesday 18 June 2025.
Dates for all 380 matches will be available on premierleague.com and the Premier League’s official app.
The 2025/26 season will begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The final round of fixtures will kick off simultaneously, as per tradition.”
In line with the league’s continued effort to protect player welfare, the schedule will include 33 weekend rounds and five midweek rounds, with adjustments made to ease congestion during the festive period. No two fixtures will occur within 60 hours of one another over Christmas and New Year, ensuring squads receive adequate recovery time. Additionally, there will be no fixture scheduled for December 24, 2025.
The league has emphasized that the season’s start date was chosen to provide the maximum recovery period—83 days—from the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign. The end date of May 24, 2026, ensures the season wraps up before national teams begin preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Former Newcastle Figure Stokes the Rivalry
As excitement brews for the return of this historic derby, former Newcastle United co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi wasted no time in playfully stirring the pot. In a light-hearted message posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ghodoussi congratulated Sunderland on their promotion before cheekily warning them to prepare well:
“Congratulations @SunderlandAFC make sure you train hard over the summer….you’ll need the practice before those derby fixtures #HWTL #NUFC”
While his comments were clearly made in jest, they sparked backlash from a section of Sunderland and neutral fans. Ghodoussi later clarified his tone, replying to critics with a simple follow-up:
“It’s called sarcasm guys.”
Ghodoussi, along with Amanda Staveley, played a significant role in Newcastle United’s new era before the remaining shares were officially transferred to the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and RB Sports & Media in July 2024. Despite stepping away from the ownership group, both have remained passionate supporters of the club. They were even spotted at Wembley in March, cheering Newcastle on during their memorable Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool.
As the 2025/26 season approaches, the return of the Tyne-Wear derby is poised to be one of its headline storylines. With both clubs hungry for supremacy, fans across the North East—and indeed, across England—can look forward to two highly charged encounters that will carry more than just three points on the line.