It was news that was as shocking as it was baffling. When the story broke that Newcastle had sacked Chris Hughton, I am sure it wasn't just the Toon Army faithful that spat their coffee across the room. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley showing his true colours again by sacking the manager that took them back to the Premiership at the first time of asking as Championship winners coupled with ensuring a healthy start for any team making the leap from the Championship to the Premiership. Yet, two points from Newcastle's last five games was clearly the final straw for Ashley (how many straws did he have?!?) for Hughton's Newcastle managerial career.
Stability is pivotal for any club to become a success and it was something Newcastle had been lacking since the original days of Kevin Keegan. Managers came and went through the (sportsdirect.com@) St. James' Park revolving door and none were ever given the chance to mould their own squad. In 2009 Newcastle were relegated to the Championship and everything was looking bleak for The Magpies. Even Mike Ashley must have realised he needed to get someone in to take over the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United manager. Up stepped former Tottenham Hotspur number two man Chris Hughton who, with no real managerial experience and a shoestring budget, bought the Toon Army back from the depths of the Championship into their rightful home of the Premiership. It looked as though Newcastle were recovering from the knockout blow of relegation. Hughton had his team playing good football, his team were picking up points like seasoned Premier League professionals and he was getting the best out of the likes of Andy Carroll, Joey Barton and Fabricio Coloccini.
Clearly however this wasn't enough for the Don of the 'Cockney Mafia' and, as of December 6th, Chris Hughton found himself, unfortunately, out of a job citing that the board wanted a man with more 'managerial experience' at the helm. Which brings me to my next point - who in their right mind would want to manage Newcastle United? Don't get me wrong, it would be a great club to manage should Mike Ashley not be involved in the day-to-day proceedings. At the time of writing the bookies' favourite appears to be former Tottenham, Hamburg and Ajax manager Martin Jol after he walked out of the Ajax job the same day his former number two at Tottenham was sacked by Ashley whilst names being linked to the job include Martin O'Neill and Alan Pardew coupled with former captain Alan Shearer declaring his interest in taking over as manager for a second time. In my opinion, Jol would be a great appointment for the Newcastle job and his experience since his eventful departure from Tottenham would have enabled him to improve as a manager. Yet, with Ashley still in charge of Newcastle, I would recommend that any and every manager steer well clear of St. James' Park until the clown that is Mike Ashley takes his circus elsewhere. Until any manager is appointed however, fans are going to have to make do with former Tyne hero and reserve team coach Peter Beardsley as manager.
Nonetheless, this is a more than a step back for Newcastle in my opinion, more of a gigantic leap. Hughton may not have had his team performing over the past five games but everyone has to remember the season is a marathon not a sprint and his Newcastle team up to this point was performing admirably in their first season back in the Premiership. I wish Hughton all the best in the future and any other club would jump at the chance at having him as the manager. Yet, there could be a way back to Newcastle for Hughton should Jol take charge and request him as his number two on Tyneside. So for Jol or O'Neill or whoever takes over at Newcastle in the future, I wish you all the best as Newcastle manager because believe me, you are going to need it should Mike Ashley remain in charge of The Magpies.
Anyway, have to dash so I will write about a headline hitting topic when the opportunity arises.
Laters,
Macca
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