Newcastle United have flown off to China with no manager, no signings and no hope

The Newcastle United squad have today flown out to China.

They fly off as the only Premier League club without a manager at this point.

They fly off as the only Premier League club without any new signings at this point.

They fly off as the Premier League club showing the biggest transfer window profit (£30m) so far.

They also fly off as the only Premier League club where the fans already have no hope, Newcastle supporters actually dreading the season kicking off. This a time of year when all fans, of any club, should be able to dream, not have nightmares.

The Premier League transfer window is now on its 59th day with only 26 days more to go, after today.

There are only four days until NUFC play their first pre-season friendly and only 29 days until the Premier League season kicks off.

Here is how the Summer has gone so far and key dates to come..

Thursday 16 May

Summer transfer window opened and domestic transfers could be made

Saturday 8 June

FIFA transfer window opened and overseas signings can now formally go through

Wednesday 12 June

Mike Ashley announces season ticket price rises of 5%, following last summer’s price rise of up to 20% for some fans

Thursday 13 June

Premier League fixtures were released

Wednesday 19 June

Newcastle United launch new home kit, the club shop charging more for new shirt than any other Premier League club is doing for their new shirt

Monday 24 June

Mike Ashley announces that there definitely won’t be a contract extension agreed with Rafa Benitez

Monday 1 July

Rafa Benitez formally leaves Newcastle United and releases personal statement explaining how Mike Ashley has forced him out of the club

Thursday 4 July

Newcastle squad return to start pre-season preparations with former Doncaster Belles Manager Neil Redfearn and Academy Chief Ben Dawson ‘temporarily’ in charge.

Thursday 4 July

Renewal deadline for season tickets passes with claims of at least 10,000 not having  renewed.

Friday 5 July 

Live TV matches for August and September announced, in total five of first seven NUFC matches selected: Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton, Liverpool and Leicester games.

Wednesday 10 July

Revealed Sam Allardyce has turned down Mike Ashley for the Newcastle job.

Thursday 11 July

Sky Sports report that Steve Bruce is actually the sixth person Mike Ashley has approached for the vacancy, with Arteta, Vieira, Gerrard, Martinez and Allardyce all knocking Ashley back.

Friday 12 July

Widely reported that talks have stalled regarding Steve Bruce being appointed because Mike Ashley refusing to pay the compensation Sheffield Wednesday are asking for.

Saturday 13 July

Newcastle squad to fly off to China with former Doncaster Belles Manager Neil Redfearn and Academy Chief Ben Dawson still ‘temporarily’ in charge.

Monday 15 July

Any unsold season tickets to go on general sale, form an orderly queue please…

Wednesday 17 July

Premier League Asia Trophy – Nanjing, China

Newcastle United v Wolves

Saturday 20 July

Premier League Asia Trophy – Shanghai, China

Newcastle United v Man City or West Ham

Tuesday 30 July 

Newcastle first team friendly away at Hibernian with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Saturday 3 August

Newcastle first team friendly at St James Park against St Etienne, with a 3pm kick-off.

Tuesday 6 August (based on last year’s release dates)

Live TV matches for October and November announced

Thursday 8 August (5pm)

Premier League transfer window closes (Though most other countries remain open, meaning they can still buy players from Newcastle and other PL clubs)

Sunday 11 August

Premier League season kicks off for Newcastle with home game v Arsenal, moved for live TV coverage