‘I wrack my brain’ – £15m man Liverpool bid for speaks out after Newcastle United exit
Jamal Lewis Reflects on Newcastle Journey and Eyes a Fresh Start
Jamal Lewis has had time to reflect—on where he’s been and where he’s going. With his contract at Newcastle United officially coming to an end, the Northern Ireland international has used the pause to take stock of his journey, the challenges he faced, and what lies ahead.
“It’s actually been helpful,” Lewis shared in an interview with ChronicleLive, opening up about his experiences. “There are times I find myself thinking back, trying to figure out why things didn’t quite click.”
Back in 2020, when Newcastle forked out £15 million to bring him in from Norwich City—fending off interest from Liverpool—it felt like a dream move. The Magpies had long been regarded as a sleeping giant, and Lewis was drawn to the club’s “monumental potential,” even before the eventual Saudi-backed takeover thrust Newcastle into a new era of ambition and investment.
Yet, reality proved more complex than the dream. Lewis soon realised that the tactical setup under then-manager Steve Bruce didn’t suit his strengths. At Norwich, he had thrived in a high-tempo, possession-based system. At Newcastle, things felt disjointed.
“It wasn’t the best stylistic fit for me under Steve Bruce,” Lewis admitted. “And I struggled to adapt. That was on me too.”
Despite the rocky start, a glimmer of hope emerged with the club’s 2021 takeover, followed by the appointment of Eddie Howe. Lewis was optimistic about a clean slate under the new boss. In fact, Howe publicly revealed he had been a long-time admirer of the defender. That faith initially translated into opportunities—Lewis started three games in a row early in Howe’s tenure.
But football, as always, had other ideas. During a clash against Liverpool at Anfield—ironically, a club that once tried to sign him—Lewis suffered a groin injury. That moment, he said, felt like a turning point. Not long after, Newcastle brought in Matt Targett, and Lewis was omitted from the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the remainder of the season.
“It was tough,” Lewis recalled. “I genuinely believed I could contribute something special. The timing just didn’t work in my favour. Injuries disrupted my rhythm. And at a club like Newcastle, which was entering a new era and needed results fast, I understood why the focus had to shift.”
Injuries weren’t just an isolated issue—they became recurring. Lewis revealed that he suffered from persistent pelvic and groin problems, which impacted his ability to train and perform consistently.
“I didn’t feel like myself, even when I was back on the pitch. I had to pretty much rebuild my body. I went back into the gym and worked on everything that had gone wrong over those couple of years.”
Though his role on the pitch diminished, Lewis found value in what he called a “high-performance environment,” saying he didn’t take the elite-level resources around him for granted.
“I learned to take an unselfish view. Yes, I wanted to play more. But I showed up every day in training, gave everything I had, and kept pushing myself. I would have loved to prove that on the pitch, but maybe it just wasn’t written in the stars.”
The competition for his position didn’t make things easier. After Targett’s injury, Dan Burn emerged as a reliable option at left-back, and later, youngster Lewis Hall was brought in and given opportunities, pushing Lewis further down the pecking order. Loan spells at Watford and Brazil’s Sao Paulo followed, though consistent playing time remained elusive.
In total, Lewis made only a handful of appearances in his final years at the club. His last competitive match in black and white came back in May 2023.
And yet, there’s no bitterness. Quite the opposite. Lewis speaks with gratitude and perspective about his five years on Tyneside.
“There were highs and lows, but I really discovered who I was—both as a footballer and as a man. Looking back, I don’t carry any negativity,” he reflected. “At the time, sure, there was frustration. But I’ve grown to understand that these challenges shape you. I’m grateful Newcastle gave me the chance to represent them. That in itself is something I’ll always cherish.”
Lewis also praised the Geordie supporters for their unwavering passion, recalling how their energy made him feel like “there was always an extra man on the pitch.”
When asked whether he had any regrets or people to blame, Lewis responded with characteristic maturity: “It’s easy to point fingers in football, but that’s not my mindset. I take accountability. Sometimes things are out of your hands—but that doesn’t mean it’s someone else’s fault.”
Now 27, Lewis remains close with former teammates like Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, and club captain Jamaal Lascelles. He celebrated from afar when the Magpies ended their long silverware drought with a historic Carabao Cup win, saying he was “so happy for the boys.”
His future remains open, but one thing is clear: Lewis is eager for a new chapter. His time in Brazil, albeit brief due to an ankle injury, has whetted his appetite for fresh challenges.
“Sao Paulo was incredible,” he said, smiling. “The fans, the culture, the people—it was unforgettable. I wish the loan hadn’t been cut short, but I took so much from it. Being in a place where few spoke English, learning to adapt, it was humbling and eye-opening.”
Now, as a free agent, Lewis is determined to find a new home where he can get back to doing what he loves most: playing consistent, competitive football.
“I’ve told my agent—I’m ready. I want to compete. I want to show the world what I can do. It’s been a while since I’ve had the platform to express myself regularly on the pitch, but I know I still have so much to offer. That’s the biggest thing for me right now—getting back out there and proving it.”
For Jamal Lewis, the story is far from over. It’s merely entering its next chapter.