Rio Ferdinand has defended Newcastle's much-maligned owner Mike Ashley and told fans to stump up their own money to buy the club if they're unhappy with how its being run.
Newcastle supporters have been calling for billionaire Ashley to step down for years, and have staged numerous protests against him, while there is currently huge unrest around the club with Steve Bruce's men facing the threat of relegation from the Premier League.
The Magpies were almost bought for £300million by a Saudi-Arabian led consortium last year before the deal collapsed, much to supporters' disappointment.
Ferdinand, who previously enraged Newcastle fans by saying they were 'lucky' to have Ashley, has reiterated his stance on the situation despite the club's struggles on the pitch in recent years.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Manchester United defender said: 'It's his club and he's doing what he wants to do and what he thinks is right.
'Whether you like it or not, he's the one that's put the money up and he's doing what he thinks is right for the club.
'Whether the Geordies like it or not… a lot of them hate him and don't like him but round your money up and take over the club then.'
Ferdinand's latest comments have once again incurred the wrath of Newcastle fans, who have pointed out his conflict of interest as the ex-England international's clothing line is exclusively sold by Ashley's Sports Direct.
Newcastle fan website The Mag labelled Ferdinand's remarks as 'embarrassing' and 'arrogant'.
When Ferdinand drew a fierce reaction from Newcastle supporters last year, he insisted his comments were not linked to his business association with Ashley's Sports Direct.
Despite sticking up for Ashley, Ferdinand did criticise the club's recruitment process and failure to develop local talent.
He added: 'That's my biggest point with Newcastle, like, they've got that area locked off, all of the north east is basically Newcastle's because Middlesbrough aren't in the Premier League, Darlington etc are not in the Premier League. So they have first dibs on all of the talent in the north east.
'Why have they not nurtured more more players into that first team? I don't get it.
'Whether it is investment, or the quality of that the structure of that process at the club isn't right.
'If I was a Geordie, if I was a Newcastle fan, that's where I would be shouting and pointing my finger.
'Not enough has been done with the talent that must be kicking around in Newcastle. It's impossible to think there aren't more [good local players who should have been developed].'