But Ashley, who has rarely if ever spoken to the media on sporting matters, broke cover to pledge his determination to improve matters at St James’ Park.

He told Sky Sports: “I will continue my policy of investing in the football club.

“I shan’t be selling the club until we win something. Not at any price. When I say win something, if we get in a position of Champions League that equals winning something.”

The Magpies' run of one draw and nine defeats in their last 10 games has prompted a concerted backlash from fans, some of whom have boycotted home games in protest at the way the club is being run by Ashley.

The ’Ashley Out’ group called on supporters to occupy St James’ Park after the final whistle of the match against West Ham – regardless of what happened on the pitch. However, the owner insisted things were not as negative around the club.

Ashley said: “The only positive we’ve got is the club is on a very sound financial footing, so we are able to spend and punch above our weight with the financial situation the club finds itself in.

Ashley has been criticised for giving caretaker-manager John Carver the job for the remainder of the season, following the departure of Alan Pardew at the start of the year.

On the next manager, the 50-year-old explained: “It is the job of (managing director) Lee Charnley and the football board to make football decisions, as it was with (former managing director) Derek Llambias picking Alan Pardew.

“I will not be picking the next manager. My job is to make sure they have the maximum amount of financial resources and it is their job to get the best pound-for-pound value out of those resources.

“But to make it categorically clear – I’m not going anywhere until we win something.”