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Mike Ashley has an explosive message for his big spending Newcastle United.

He said on Monday: “All I say is, there is a bank account, when you have emptied it, it’s empty, don’t come crying to me for more money.....”

The club owner has watched his club spend £80m in transfer fees since the summer, self-financed by healthy club profits.

Ashley says the spree, on the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Gini Wijnaldum and Jonjo Shelvey, represented having “a proper go at it this season...”

“I think everyone can agree with that,” Ashley added. “But the results haven’t been ideal.”

Critics would argue it simply patched up the club after a couple of years of under-investment and stagnation.

(Image: Ian MacNicol)

READ MORE: Ashley admits he "regrets" buying Newcastle.

But with the club mired in the relegation zone, they are facing a huge cut in television income if they drop to the Championship – from a guaranteed £100m at least, to £37m in “parachute” payments.

With a wage bill estimated to be currently more than £80m, relegation could mean Newcastle need another emergency loan from Ashley.

Back in 2009 he had to loan £40m to secure the finances after relegation, and win promotion at the first attempt.

So when he was asked by the Mirror how much was left in the bank account for Newcastle, Ashley replied: “Virtually, nothing now. They have emptied it.”

So far the club has cost Ashley £262m.

That breaks down to £133m to buy it from the Hall and Shepherd families.

(Image: Serena Taylor)

And a loan of £129m, according to the last published accounts, given “interest free.”

Ashley’s payback is using St James’ Park as a billboard for Sports Direct with more than 100 logos on view on match days.

Ashley is happy for all the cash United generates to be reinvested in players and “having a go.”

That means if United do stay in the Premier League, Benitez will get another huge transfer pot because of the income the club would be guaranteed.

But he is reluctant to plough in any more of his personal fortune.

Speaking at Sports Direct HS in Shirebrook, he claimed he has little involvement in the running of the club.

(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

He said: “I have virtually nil affect on Newcastle United, in reality, because I only pick the board.”

Explaining his stewardship of Newcastle, he says “negativity” surrounding his ownership caused him to “step back” from the front line.

He added: “To get a football club to be the best it can be, you have to get the sun, the moons and the stars to align perfectly.

“But there is negativity around me as an individual when it comes to Newcastle, so the best thing was to make sure it was on solid ground and then step back and get them to self manage Newcastle.

“Create a board, get the board to appoint the manager, put the manager on the board as well and then not interfere.

“I don’t know what players they sign, I don’t know what team they are going to pick on a Saturday.

(Image: Andy Commins)

“I don’t really want to have any influence in football to be honest. Looking after Sports Direct is more than a full time job.”

Ashley would not publicly consider relegation, expressing total faith in Benitez, who took over from sacked Steve McClaren ten days ago.

Fans are not so confident, and Ashley will see his club facing huge financial cutbacks if they drop.

Some fans see relegation as a way of getting rid of Ashley, but the opposite is the case. He’s found he can’t sell the club in the top flight, never mind after a two thirds cut in TV income.

(Image: 2016 Newcastle United)

Relegation would be a disaster – causing Benitez to activate his break clause, top name players sold and another search for a manager.

Ashley, with the bullishness of a self-made billionaire who hates failure, added: “I think we have the right man for the job. If there is any hope of Newcastle staying up, let’s hope Rafa can do it.

“Eventually, we will have some good times again.”

That very much hinges on the final eight games, and a quick revival in fortunes on the pitch.