Head coach Eddie Howe says Newcastle United's stadium and training ground plans are "in limbo" and there is a "99.9% chance" he will not be in charge to see them realised.
Although Newcastle continue to explore the possibility of expanding St James', or building a new stadium elsewhere in the city, CEO David Hopkinson has admitted the club will play at the ground in its current guise for "many years".
Work is ongoing to effectively double the footprint of their existing training ground at Benton, but the hierarchy recognise a new state-of-the-art base will ultimately be needed elsewhere because of the site's limitations.
Howe has his hands full with on-the-field matters, as he looks to take 11th-placed Newcastle up the table, but infrastructure was at the forefront of his mind when he was asked how the club can move forward in 2026 and beyond.
"Fundamentally, looking at the club with a broader view, the training ground, the stadium, that part of the club is in limbo at the moment," he said.
"In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward to get clarity on that and to take everything into the future in a really positive way.
"It would have a game-changing effect on everything. I am also talking about the academy in that and the brilliant work that goes on down there.
"If we can move everything forward in terms of facilities - not that I believe facilities are the be all and end all - but they are a great way of setting standards higher and showing your ambition in a really clear and strong way."