There are lots of reports in the papers recently, that Steve Bruce is being lined up to become Newcastle manager in the summer.
Steve Bruce – would not say no for a second time
But just to add a little bit of realism into this, we don’t think Newcastle will be looking for a new manager anytime soon, assuming Joe Kinnear can recover from his heart surgery and is fit enough, and wants to carry on the job at Newcastle.
We think he’ll be back in charge by around mid-April, at the latest. And it would appear that Mike Ashley is willing to have Joe in charge for at least two years, so he can establish Newcastle back in the top six or top eight, and even get us back into Europe.
But once Joe has achieved that, we’re not sure he can take Newcastle much further, but we’d be happy to be proved wrong on that. If we are considering new managers three that come to mind are Steve Bruce, Sven Eriksson and Mark Hughes.
If Manchester City keep losing to mediocre sides like Portsmouth, like they did over the weekend, the City owners will not keep Mark at the helm for much longer, and he’s pushing his luck with some of these poor performances.
We were really hoping, for our own good, that City could have beaten Portsmouth, who are now level on points with Newcastle. 🙁
Certainly if Mark is fired he’s be in great demand, since he’s more than a useful manager and would do well at Newcastle.
Sven Eriksson would love the Newcastle job, there’s no doubt about that, but he has said he’ll take Mexico through to the World Cup in South Africa next summer, even tho0ugh Mexico were beaten 2-0 by the USA last week in a qualifying game.
And it seems Portsmouth are more than willing to get Sven to Fratton Park to replace the woeful Tony Adams.
But of the three, Steve Bruce, born in Corbridge and raised in Newcastle, would probably be given the chance, and this time he wouldn’t turn the job down, that’s for sure. But look for Joe still to be here come August.
What do you think?
Le us know – comments welcome, but please keep them decent and respect other readers’ views – thanks.
105 comments so far
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Comment #41Bassong is better than King, Woodgate, Corluka and Dawson.
Jonas is better than Bentley.
Bennytoon – Looks like I proved your lies agai about Arda Turan.
ronniezog
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Comment #42born again geordie-bruce made wigan from nothing to somethin and with absolutely a little or no cash,he discovered palacios,figueroa,and also kirkland is always handfull,i mean wigan dont disappoint,sven is just a figure that cant make it unless there is alot of cash which newcastle dont have born again geordie.
richyg01
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Comment #43BennyToon
king,woodgate,dawson and corluka are better than colo.
How long have them players been in the PL?
People seem to forget that this is Colo’s first season in the PL, he will only get better.
Bentley has been absolute $hite since he went to spuds. I wouldnt want him in my team.
Bent is $hite, I would have Oba anyday.
You cant compare Cudicini to Harper because Harps simply has not played enough PL games.
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Comment #44If we have a five year plan then we need a manager that can work with the board and impliment it with them and by definition be at the club for at least 5 years. JFK’s health will not hold that long and is really not the man to be taking us forward as a team.
We need a young hungry manager with a hunger to make us better but the patience to see it through. For me I would like to see Ketsbia or Martinez just for whatthey have created at their respective clubs.
Thename’s being bandied about at the minute are not the right men for the job.
SVEN has always done well as a club manager as long as he has had money to throw about and does not have the charector to inspire the geordie faithful.
BRUCE although is currently doing well at Wigan his team will fold next yearand will the like’s of Wenger still give him help on the scouting front as he did with the likes of Palacios with the way Arsenal are struggleing at the minute. And would leave us if offered to take over from Ferguson.
SHEARER never going to happen as he does not wish to destroy his legacy as a player and is making easy money doing what he’s doing. If he is to take over then I feel it would have to be as a number 2 and inherite the team he will help create. Maybe along side some one like Van Haal or Jol.
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Comment #45Ronniezog – Wenger recommended Palacios to Wenger.
Micky Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Comment #46bennytoon – using your logic that must mean you have a poor manager/coaching staff as you are below both NUFC and Wigan in the league.
So, my question is – are spurs players crap or is old droopy face a poor manager?
ToonRich
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Comment #47If roumours are ture that JK is in line for a £1million bonus if we stay up…who thinks MA and his monkeys will be looking at all the loop holes to tear up JK’s contract due to his health??
I can see this happening if the coaches do a good enough job of guiding us to safety…
Personally I’d like to see Martinez or Ketsbia with maybe a certain Mr.Shearer as #2 to learn his trade…I understand that people think Shearer doesnt have the experience, he should start lower down, but I really think it would benefit us to have him in the staff NOW, not later…
ronniezog
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Comment #48Nooooooooooooooooo Tom Toon-its bruce scouts network that worked hard to get him palacios,i mean bruce the king,the next toon manager
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Comment #49Ronniezog, you are wrong, Bruce even admitted that Wenger ‘phoned him up’ and said get Palacios.
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Comment #50http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport-old/football/2008/03/08/steve-bruce-your-e-a-pal-arsene-for-the-wilson-palacios-tip-115875-20344156/
Vest
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Comment #51I think we should take Bruce now. He’s the man to save our season. He findes good players and don’t spent a lot of money on them. Imagin our scouting team along with Bruce ! It would set our 5 year plan on fire.
If we brought Bruce in now, and he had to the summer to study the team, along with saving us from relegation, he would know who players to buy in the summer. And we could come straight back in to Europe.
GOOOOOO TOOOOOON ! ! ! ! !
Craigg
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Comment #52Toonkistan
I personally rate Martin O’Neill as the best manager in the world as he has showed that he can adapt to any situation and achieve great things.
At Wycombe he won a Conference Title, 2 FA Trophies, and 2 promotions.
At Leicester he won 2 League cups and promotion to the top flight, Leicester never finished out of the the top half during his time there a year after he left they were relegated.
At Celtic he won 3 League Titles, 3 FA cups
and 1 League Cup as well as leading them to a european final.
Now Villa are already back in europe and will definately play champions league football
and probably win trophies under O’Neill.
Mourinho is just robbing Bobby Robsons coaching methods and pretending to be a Brian Clough type with his not so funny quips and big headedness.
ToonRich
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Comment #53Is ronniezog a wigan fan??
Loves Bruce, and has Zog in his name!!
Tom, I know you said you dont reallt want Bruce, so who would you like…?
Oh, I forgot Jose Mourinho in my list, but thats just a dream!!
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Comment #54Ketsbaia. Maybe Terim, Schaaf, Grant, Martinez and I’d love to get Trappatoni from Ireland.
Micky Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Comment #55What does it matter if Wenger rang Bruce up with the info?
If Bruce does become our next manager I would mind if Wenger kept informing Bruce of good players. It would be like having an extra scout for free!
Micky Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Comment #56Bah. That was supposed to say I would not mind.
Craigg
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Comment #57I love the way people say Shearer i too inexperienced yet clammer for Ketsbaia and Martinez who are both in their first job as managers!
Micky Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Comment #58Craigg – Give over. You could say that Martin O’Neil is just robbing Brian Clough’s methods.
To me, O’Neil hasn’t proven anything and he always takes the easy route. The most pressure he’s had is when he’s managed Celtic and then he only had one other team to worry about. Taking on Villa was an easy job. No pressure from the fans and not expected to win anything. He’s done ok with them, but his judgement on Milner has to be questioned. £12m is far too much and I think O’Neil is often blinkered by his buy British approach.
For me Taggart is the best manager in the world at the moment. He’s done everything except prove himself at international level.
Like him or loathe him Jose is probably the best club manager after Taggart. He can do it without money, look at what he did with FC Porto.
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Comment #59Ketsbaia has been a manager for 5 years and Martinez for about 2 and a half.
beyethegreat
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Comment #60Webchat: Derek Llambias interview
The event is now live.
Waiting for writer to provide content…
12:32 Lee Ryder: Good afternoon to all readers
12:33 Luke Edwards: Good afternoon
12:34 Lee Ryder: Just to make it clear this is a discussion about the Llambias interview
12:34 [Comment From toontoon]
afternoon
12:34 Matt McKenzie: Afternoon
12:34 [Comment From Sam]
afternoon lee
12:34 [Comment From jack]
good afternoon
12:34 [Comment From James]
good afternoon
12:34 [Comment From Sam]
and luke
12:34 [Comment From Claud]
good afternoon
12:35 Matt McKenzie: Hello all, welcome to a special webchat – Luke and Lee are both here to discuss the Llambias interviews we ran last week in the Journal and Chron.
12:36 [Comment From jack]
in the course of the interview it was said that the price for milner was to good to refuse but that they valued him at £6 million. how did they value him so lowly ?did you follow up on his thinking
12:36 Matt McKenzie: First question there from Jack. Over to you lads…
12:37 [Comment From SK LEE]
GOOD AFTERNNON
12:37 [Comment From filthy mag]
Afternoon all.
12:38 Luke Edwards: That was the initial valuation put on him by the club, so they asked Aston Villa for £12m, mistakingly thinking this would deter them. It didn’t, Milner decided he wanted to go, Keegan agreed thinking he was going to get a replacement, he didn’t and chaos began
12:38 [Comment From bob parkins]
why did all our activity in the transfer market look as thought it was all carried out in the last day
12:38 Lee Ryder: Yes we did follow up this question and hence the answer about £12million price tag.
12:41 Luke Edwards: We asked about this several times and were told each time that is wasn’t. They had organised Taylor and Nolan signings and also wanted Michael Johnson from day one, but issue was complicated, so they say, by City’s interest in Given. Tried for a swap deal involving Johnson/Onuoha and/or Elano biut City refused and then turned down a bid on the last day after Newcastle finally admitted defeat in attempt to hold on to Shay. Still looks as though it was done in a bit of a rush at the end as they should have just bid £8m for Johnson straight away
12:41 [Comment From Adam Smith]
did llambias make a good impression on you
12:41 Lee Ryder: I think that the final day of the transfer window is the climax of a tough month, it is very much Last Chance Saloon for all clubs.
But from my viewpoint I think they started work in the transfer window much earlier.
However, in my humble opinion they were unrealistic with certain targets which cost them a lot of time early on.
In fairness they did sign three players and they don’t seem to be the worst players in the world.
12:42 Lee Ryder: He came across as I expected like a businessman.
12:43 Luke Edwards: At times he was impressive in what he said, particularly in terms of the financial mess they inherited, but I wasn’t keen on his defence of the management structure, particularly when trying to defend their transfer record. There is a specialist recruitment team in place and, as I said during the interview, they had failed to do their jobs., most notably in taking until Jan to sign a full-back, Ryan Taylor to cover the right and left
12:44 [Comment From Ron Grace]
What were your feelings on the interview. Did you find what Mr.Llambias said believable?
12:45 Lee Ryder: Only in the fullness of time will we see if they can walk the walk
12:45 [Comment From Stardust]
Luke – I have advocated for some time that Ashley has been a victim of circumstance, in trying to do the right thing – in appointing KK, he ended up getting hurst. The crowd subsequently turned on him for the previous decades of underperforming. You stated you were impressed by Llambias – on reflection – how do you feel the club is being ran
12:45 Luke Edwards: I thought it was a useful exercise. As I’ve always said, you might not like the answers he gave, but he didn’t duck a question and at least we have open lines of communication now rather than just silence. I thought some of it was believable, others parts sounded like excuses, but at least it’s out there in the public domain now.
12:46 [Comment From Brian]
Good afternoon
12:47 [Comment From jonny]
good afternoon
12:47 [Comment From furrygiblets]
hello
12:47 [Comment From Simon]
Good morning. I mean, afternoon
12:47 [Comment From beyethegreat]
hello
12:47 Matt McKenzie: While Luke’s answering, here’s one for you, Lee.
12:47 [Comment From Andreas]
Do you feel that the current administration has got a genuine plan for Newcastle? I mean, just a few weeks ago the club was up for sale. Did they really develop the business plans as they had decided to sell it, or have they just started?
12:49 Luke Edwards: They have come into a new business under-prepared and with no experience. Unsurpisingly they have made major mistakes. The lack of due dilligence meant they had no idea how much finanancial trouble the club was in – their first and biggest blunder. They also failed to realise that, while football is a business, it is also part of the entertainment industry and requires a different level of public interaction.
They still refuse to change a flawed management structure – another mistake in my opinion – but they have learnt from some of the blunders they have made. If they are true to their word, the club is financially secure again now – presuming they aren’t relegated – and the investment in new players should increase as a result. Only time will tell. I hope things are going to improve because the football club needs it
12:49 [Comment From toontoon]
guys.. .I want to know why Ashley won’t come out just once to speak to the fans. I know Derek said the board wants to keep a low profile, but surely the owner should address the fans directly at some point
12:50 Luke Edwards: We have been told that, once the case with Kevin Keegan is settled, Mike will sit down with Lee and myself for an interview
12:50 [Comment From James [dingo]]
so….. what was Derek like face to face.. I mean how did he answer your questions? with confidence or was he flying by the seat of his pants… I have never seen address real people.
12:51 [Comment From johnny]
afternoon fellow mags
12:51 [Comment From Leighton]
good afternoon all
12:51 [Comment From Stardust]
Afternoon
12:51 [Comment From Stuart]
Can you please detail the management structure at the club now, i still felt that it was unclear after the interview. Who has the final say on transfers and what exactly does the role of DOF involve?
12:51 Luke Edwards: Confidently, although he did bristle at a few of them, particularly when we started to question his credentials for running a football club
12:51 Lee Ryder: I think they have has to reassess certain things but the story they have told is one of ironing out the financial holes left behind by the old regime.
I think they seem obsessed with youth development and getting good youngsters through the ranks both locally and globally.
I think it takes a scouting network of more than three or four people to be the best in the world at that.
Dennis Wise’s Air Miles must be doing canny if that is the case, not sure about his carbon footprint though.
I take your point about them being up for sale a few weeks ago, but it looks like they were getting on with business anyway as they said they didn’t listen to one offer while the For Sale signs were up.
I think it was all about Mike Ashley being upset at the protests and him eventually calming down.
12:52 [Comment From Neil]
Hello folks. I think I could’ve scripted what he was going to say and he got off far too easy. I am not really interested in the Keegan debate any longer simply because we can’t change any of it but surely emphasising on our disgraceful attempts in the transfer window should’ve been bigger on the discussion list.
12:53 Luke Edwards: If you read my piece in The Journal which detailed the management structure you would know that Mike has given day-to-day control of the club to Derek, but retains the final say on anything and everything. Llambias runs the business side of things, Dennis Wise is in charge of player recruitment, but only has major say on young players for the Academy. He also carries out negotiations for players for the senior team – but according to Derek – only with say so of the manager, who gives him a list of the players he wants
12:54 Lee Ryder: Neil, we asked plenty of questions on the transfers, the interview lasted 88 minutes and at no stage did anybody get off lightly.
We asked the questions that were sent in by the fans and we probed them after each answer.
We can’t answer for them.
12:54 [Comment From Concerned toon fan]
Lee/Luke – Can you understand why you’ve lost a lot of respect from Newcatsle fans about this “interview”? Some of Llambias’ answers were dreadful and were crying out for further probing, which doesn’t seem to have been the case. It feels like the Chronicle/Journal have sold out their journalistic integrity in the name of getting an exclusive. This doesn’t help the fans/your readers a bit, and has left us more annoyed than before.
12:56 Matt McKenzie: As you’d imagine, there are loads of questions coming in and we’ll get to as many as we can. Obviously, I’ll publish as many comments as possible.
12:56 [Comment From leAVY]
to be honest i didnt rate milner and i feel her was right to let him go, but without gettin a replacement in thats just foolish
12:57 [Comment From beye]
thereplacement was meant to be schweinstegger
12:57 [Comment From Nic]
Especially the johnson move
12:57 Luke Edwards: I’m sorry you feel that way, but you weren’t in the room and couldn’t see that we did challenge him on several answers – particularly on the transfer window and management structure. All we did was report his answers, present them to you and allowed you to judge them yourself. That was the purpose of the exercise. John Gibson and myself in The Journal then wrote opinion pieces with our criticisms and obervsations from the answers. If you don’t like the answers don’t blame us
12:57 Lee Ryder: I’m cool about the critics – let them have their say.
I know what I asked and probed and we published the answers.
I’ve also had a lot of positive feedback as well from people in the “real world” as I don’t just spend my time in front of a computer screen.
12:58 [Comment From Saffie_Toon]
Do you personally believe in any of the promises made
12:58 [Comment From leavy]
why did we purchase a right back and a central midfielder without getting an attacking midfielder with a killer pass it doesnt make sense
12:59 Luke Edwards: I’ll be very interested to see what happens in the summer – in terms of spending and management structure – that’s all I can say at this stage
12:59 Matt McKenzie: I Lots of questions coming in on what you two made of the answers…summed up by the following….
12:59 [Comment From http://www.geordies.net]
were you both satisfied with the answers you got or did the answers seen canned and generic?
12:59 Luke Edwards: Johnson was supposed to be the attacking one I suppose. They thought they’d get him, didn’t, panicked and ridiculously went for Richardson
1:01 Lee Ryder: If they’d said we are going to sign Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul and we are gunning for the league I would have still had to sit back and wait to see if it unfolded. My stance doesn’t change, they have to back their words with action.
1:01 [Comment From Claud]
why didnt you ask him if he was concerned at the amount of season ticket holder no renewing this summer?
1:01 Luke Edwards: Some were better than others, of course they were, we had to remind him about the full-back failure and when we did, only really got a yes it was a failure response, but nothing more in terms of an explanation.
Still not entirely convinced about management structure and I’d like to see that change. But the club was in a complete mess financially when they took over. We saw some of the figures and I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn’t come in. Oil-rich Arabs maybe!? Sorry that has probably depressed you again hasn’t it?!
1:02 [Comment From Graeme]
did they outline why they believe Joe Kinnear is the man to take Newcastle forward and why they think Aston Villa is what we should aspire to when we’ve been ahead of them most of the time in the premier league
1:03 [Comment From sawdox]
The most important part of NUFC are the fans and the overriding impression I got from Llambias is that he hasn’t got a clue as to what the fans feelings are.
1:04 Luke Edwards: But you aren’t anymore are you. What he meant, basically, was that he wanted to do a Villa, build a good young team and challenge for a top four place without spending the sort of money Man City are splashing around!
1:04 Lee Ryder: Claud – we asked them what they would say to fans who were thinking about NOT renewing their season tickets.
They answered, that people should stick with their pland as there has been uglier football in the past years.
Being around when Newcastle were dreadful in the old Second Division that much is true.
But the word patience is a touchy subject on Tyneside after waiting since 1969 for a trophy and only tasting good quality football under KK and Robson since.
1:04 [Comment From Canny Lad]
Llambias says Mort will not be coming back. Do you feel he/MA believe that Mort was having some success in communicating with the fans? Do you feel they will make some changes to improve in this area?
1:04 Luke Edwards: I think the communication thing will be the biggest improvement in the short term
1:06 Lee Ryder: I think a figurehead that the fans know and trust is needed to come out and work with the public. Gibbo made a good point about Bobby Charlton at Man United the other day. Let’s be honest if Les Ferdinand had been handed the Dennis Wise role, we probably wouldn’t be in this mess.
1:06 [Comment From Stuart]
Can you now fully detail the management structure? who has the final say on transfers and does JK work under a different job description that KK?
1:07 [Comment From MB]
Lee – Exactly, but that shows their lack of understanding of the fans. That aint ever going to change.
1:08 Matt McKenzie: Just to repeat, there are hundreds of questions coming in so nobody’s being blocked – the lads can only answer one at a time. We’ll get through as many as we can – as we’ll leave the webchat up in the archive for people to read back.
1:08 Luke Edwards: Wise looks after young player recruitment and conducts negotiations, on behalf of Kinnear, for senior team. Whether this is different to Keegan we don’t know as they wouldn’t talk about Keegan and Wise situation as it is at the centre of ongoing legal dispute. KK is claiming he didn’t have overall control you see, club dispute his version of events.
1:09 [Comment From sawdox]
Lee – you say “in the fullness of time” – are you forgetting they’ve had 4 transfer windows. It’s not the supporters fault that they found a mess – they should’ve done due diligence. A football club can be run on debt as long as you manage it properly.
1:09 [Comment From Marc]
Hi, I didn’t notice it in the interview, did you ask Llambias why Kinnear got the job in the first place and who were and what was the credability of the other candaidates/applicants for the job?
1:10 Lee Ryder: So are you saying Sawdox, that you are not going to give them time?
1:10 Luke Edwards: Nobody else wanted it, we already knew that! They have since been impressed with how he’s done in the position but I’m still not sure he will be there next season
1:11 Lee Ryder: When El Tel turns you down, you know you are in trouble.
1:11 [Comment From Morty]
Afternoon gents! You said that Llambias came accross as a businessman, how did he differ in comparison to other, more experienced chairmen that you’ve interviewed in the past? And did his positive view for the future of the club sound sincere?
1:12 Luke Edwards: He was better than Freddie
1:13 Luke Edwards: It did to an extent, but ultimately actions will always smother the sound of words
1:13 Lee Ryder: Well Morty, I’ve dealt with Steve Wharton at Scunthorpe who was brilliant, Ken Hodcroft at Hartlepool who I can’t tell you about because he wanted to give all his stories to a paper in Darlington, Steve Gibson at Boro who actually delievered some success after 128 years and Freddy Shepherd who was hit and miss.
1:13 [Comment From http://www.geordies.net]
The majority of the fans I have spoken to feel that the interview didn’t really provide any new information, just more of the same… we tried to sign such and such and failed, we are in a mess financially…. there seems to be no plan and it also seems they have learned nothing from previous transfer windows.
1:14 [Comment From Harry Shingles]
What colour shoes are best for a sunday stroll ?
1:14 Matt McKenzie: A fine question, Mr Shingles.
1:14 Lee Ryder: What’s that got to do with football?
1:14 [Comment From Paul]
what is your personal view on Micheal Owen? Do you think he will stay?
1:15 Lee Ryder: It depends on who they sign during the month of June.
1:15 [Comment From Marc]
Thanks for your reply Luke, to my question about Kinnears appointment. I appreciate the general opinion is that nobody else but Kinnear wanted the job! But at the time, I seem to remember the club claimed there were some 30 or so applicants. Who were they, or was this just another example of the club making things up in their public announcements to keep the fans quiet and make the club look in a better state than it is?
1:16 Luke Edwards: The plan has always been roughly the same to be fair. Stabalise debt, invest in Academy and hope benefits are eventually seen in the first team. It’s all very good and well saying that aim to be challenging for everything in five years time, but they will have to have the right manager in place and sign the right players to add to the ones they’ve already got. One thing to point out. If Mark Viduka, Michael Owen, Geremi and Cacapa leave at the end of the season Newcastle will save around £250,000-a-week in wages. A remarkable sum of money which I would expect to see reinvested in the first team.
1:17 [Comment From Si]
How is Joe Kinnear? Surely his family won’t be keen on him staying in this job? It is a little bit more pressure than say Luton…..
1:17 [Comment From Cathal]
Owen will not sign a new contract…I bet we are haggling with betty the tea lady over her contract for next season
1:17 Lee Ryder: He came through the operation well according to the club
1:17 Luke Edwards: I can’t remember the applicants thing Marc, that was before Keegan was appointed, not when he left
1:17 [Comment From nufc18]
lee/luke did llambias happen to mention who the targets in summer were going to be?
1:17 Luke Edwards: Si, I don’t think he will come back, but I might be wrong
1:18 [Comment From Pete (In Cyprus)]
Did they say anything regarding new comings?
1:18 Lee Ryder: Cathal, Les Ferdinand makes a good point in the Chron today that Owen has handed them an olive branch by not going in January, he has basically thown the gauntlet down to Ash by saying: “Get some players in”
1:18 Luke Edwards: Again, if you had read The Journal Derek said they would be back in for all of their Jan transfer targets as well as other players the manager – whoever that is – identifies
1:18 Lee Ryder: Yes, he did say that but in doing so only broadcasted to the world who is on our shortlist.
1:18 [Comment From Marc]
Thanks for clearing that up for me Luke.
1:19 [Comment From Kevin]
I’d say brown, Harry. That way the mud doesn’t show.
1:19 [Comment From Pete (In Cyprus)]
Will Mr Ashley spend money in the Summer or will it be the same as last season?
1:20 [Comment From John]
Until the board, ashley & co take ACTIONS – that gap between what these people say, what they do, and the fate of Newcastle United in in the air. My bets are next season will start – for NUFC with no Kinnear, No Owen and No hope
1:20 Lee Ryder: Well he needs to Pete, but without the aid of a crystal ball we won’t know until the summer.
They say they will but people don’t seem to believe it.
1:20 Luke Edwards: My sums added up to at least £15m available from income from player sales, but Llambias said Mike would spend some of his own money as well.
1:21 [Comment From Bully]
Lads, if your interview with Llambias was so good, why did most of the other media outlets ignore it?
1:21 Colin George: [Private Message to beye] Beye – we have recieved your question, however as we pointed out we have a large volume to get through. We will include it if we can. (Reply Privately)
1:22 Lee Ryder: It was rewritten by a lot of media outlets and I took a lot of calls from journalists last week, this week the phoneline has been quiet.
1:22 beye: [Private Message to Colin George] sorry
1:22 [Comment From Graeme]
will you publish the interview on a podcast – all 88mins – then we could hear how the interview went, if not, why not
1:22 Luke Edwards: They didn’t, it was in every national newspaper, Sky Sports etc etc, it just got squeezed into smaller articles by news at Chelsea and England game.
1:23 Lee Ryder: The club will not allow this. What do you think of that Graeme?
1:23 [Comment From Graeme]
sums it up
1:23 Lee Ryder: Can you expand on that Graeme?
1:23 Luke Edwards: Oh and you don’t want to know how many national journalists have asked the club for an interview with Llambias in the last few days?
1:23 Matt McKenzie: I’m going to speak to the club about it again today, Graeme, to see if we can come to some sort of arrangement.
1:24 [Comment From Stuart]
Bully – the national media are as sick of NUFC as we are!
1:24 [Comment From Graeme]
sure – they are controlling and don’t care for the fans
1:24 [Comment From Irish Toon]
Lads, I believe you were on a hiding to nothing with the Llambias interview, but at least you had the balls to come on the webchat. In hindsight do you feel the interview was worth it
1:25 [Comment From James Smith]
15m in todays market is nothing do you not agree Luke?
1:25 [Comment From Cathal]
Newcastle United – the club of my dreams/nightmares
1:25 [Comment From totsy]
i enjoyed the interview by the way……..i hope that these interviews continue
1:26 [Comment From Pete (In Cyprus)]
Thanks Lee, I quite enjoyed reading your colume in the Journal & now glad that the board have decided to let a local paper run the stories instead of these national rags. At least the board are trying to put thing right with the fans even if some don’t like the replies they get to their questions, good on you mate!
1:26 Lee Ryder: Irish Toon, it was a starting point. The club now have a platform and audience to air their plans.
1:26 Luke Edwards: As long as Mike adds to it then it’s a decent amount of money still. £25m will be a big war chest in the current financial climate – but let’s just wait and see if he puts his monry where his mouth is or not. I’m not patting anyone on the back until I see them spend some cash
1:26 [Comment From Craig]
So lads- Do I keep my season ticket next season or not? What’s your gut feeling? Investment in new good players, new manager and a bright future or much of the same?
1:27 Luke Edwards: Wait and see what happens in the summer, they won’t sell out before you make your mind up!
1:27 [Comment From Canny Lad]
When can we hope for Llambias to get out and meet the fans as Mort did?
1:27 [Comment From Rob]
Outside Newcastle, NUFC aren’t seen as a big club. The NATIONAL MEDIA just tune in for Episodes that increase our standing as a laughing stock. Were seen as a mediocre club with limited prospects – and 55,000 mugs who put up with it all year in, year out.
1:27 Lee Ryder: My honest answer is that I would be going to the match on a match by match basis next season.
The days of not being able to get a ticket for love nor money are long gone.
1:28 [Comment From Irish Toon]
By hiding to nothing I mean, you were never going to be able to ask everyone’s question and tehrefore would get slagged off because of this, but as you mention it ws an ice breaker and hopefully thing will get better, so thanks for that anyway
1:28 [Comment From Graeme]
we still don’t have direction, less now our manager is out for the season
1:28 Luke Edwards: He will be at supporter panel meetings and fans should contact the club to get an invite. A limited number of places are available, but NUSC have been invited to send someone, as has Michael Martin from the True Faith fanzine, Martin Jensen from The Mag and so on
1:28 Lee Ryder: Rob, I disagree, in mixed zones up and down the country most opposing journalists want to interview OUR players more than there own.
1:29 Colin George: For anyone who came in late, we’ve had hundreds of questions and comments but we will try to publish as many as possible.
1:29 [Comment From Adam Curry]
does llambias think that kinnear is the man to take this club forward in the long run? has he really been offered a contract beyond the summer?!
1:30 [Comment From Michael]
What was you two lads opinion on the bashing Lambias gave to the NUSC, subscription charge comments etc when the club have not only got NUFC TV subscription, membership subscription amongst the other previously available subscription charges
1:30 Lee Ryder: Cheers Cuddy Club, yes he has been offered a contract and they said before JK’s health scare that he was the man to take them forward.
1:30 [Comment From Craig]
Lee – I think if the club invested serious cash in the summer,we had a good popular manager and a good start I think we would start selling out again. That’s what makes if a special club in my opinion
1:30 Luke Edwards: It’s been offered but unsigned. I’m not sure it ever will be. In my humble opinion and this isn’t anything that has been said to me directly, but I reckon a new manager will arrive in the summer as Joe hadn’t intended to stay beyond the end of the season even before his health problems
1:31 [Comment From totsy]
why do all these people want a new manager??..the last thing we need is another change around
1:31 [Comment From tino]
do you think the relationship your paper want with the club meant many of the questions were softened so the club didnt have an adverse reaction to future interviews
1:31 [Comment From sawdox]
Gus Poyet then Luke? Great!!
1:32 Luke Edwards: It was a little un-necessary to say that about NUSC but I think they have been upset by, as they perceive it, the fact NUSC are a new organisation and are pushing for greater access and power than other fan groups.
1:32 [Comment From Pete (In Cyprus)]
I for one paid the subscription charged by NUSC & don’t mind doing so as long as it goes toward getting something sorted with the TOON 🙂
1:32 [Comment From Nick]
A new manager is wanted because Kinnear is hopeless and a football dinosaur. He couldnt get a job for 4 years for a reason….
1:32 Luke Edwards: Steve Bruce sawdox
1:32 [Comment From Graeme]
we need the right manager for the job, to take us forward and challenge – Joe Kinnear is not that man in my opinion
1:33 [Comment From Jamie]
totsy – we need to keep one manager and we need to keep them for a decade at least… But Kinnear is not that man.
1:33 [Comment From Richy]
Steve Bruce? Why would he leave Wigan?
1:33 [Comment From Cathal]
I dont think Steve Bruce is the man either
1:33 [Comment From Aaron]
Black. Every time.
1:33 Luke Edwards: We did say that the majority of fans didn’t think Joe was the right man for the job Graeme
1:33 [Comment From Rich]
Roberto Martinez for me
1:33 [Comment From Irish Toon]
Martinez from Swansea
1:33 [Comment From Stuart]
Steve Bruce should be appointed now! He would dra us out of this mess nd take the club forward. More importantly he understands the club and city.
1:34 [Comment From totsy]
nick: kinnear was the only guy with the guts to take the club on at the time and i think he should be rewarded for his effort…if we do get a manager btw it musn’t be steve bruce
1:34 Luke Edwards: Steve Bruce would leave Wigan tomorrow if the Newcastle job was offered to him ..
1:34 Lee Ryder: I agree.
1:34 [Comment From Graeme]
we need someone who can attract the right players for the club – we don’t have that figurehead.
1:34 [Comment From sawdox]
If we got Martinez then mebbe we could sign some Spanish players!!
1:34 Luke Edwards: Martinez?! interesting, however Sven for me everytime
1:34 Lee Ryder: He’s gagging for it man.
1:34 [Comment From Richy]
The job was offered to Bruce in the past and he turned it down.
1:34 Luke Edwards: That was then and this is now
1:34 Lee Ryder: Slaven Bilic for me though
1:34 [Comment From Alix Goddard]
Steve Bruce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1:35 [Comment From totsy]
i agree luke i would love sven at the club
1:35 [Comment From Michael]
Roberto Martinez id like, whether hes had enough top flight experience yet not sure, however Bruce and whoever hes working with is bringing in some top players.
1:35 [Comment From furrygiblets]
Sven likes his transfer money though
1:35 Luke Edwards: Bring back Titus
1:35 [Comment From Cathal]
Brucey is a red.. hate all his black n white blood etc when we play his teams
1:35 [Comment From toony]
Sven has the charisma of a shed,,id go for Bruce
1:35 Lee Ryder: He could do a Chronicle column now
1:36 [Comment From totsy]
if we get a decent manager in im confident mike will back him with the cach
1:36 Luke Edwards: Yeah now a certain someone has left
1:36 [Comment From Stu]
I think it has to be Martinez so the structure can work, luke and Lee get onto Llambias and tell him
1:36 Lee Ryder: I will be drinking with Nicky Butt in the Seine Boat next
1:36 [Comment From Rich]
We need a manager with hunger that will rub off on the players. Moyes had no top flight experience when he went to everton and look where they are now
1:37 Lee Ryder: Slaven Bilic, Rich.
1:37 Luke Edwards: We’re having another chat with him soon and will certainly keep on asking the things you want answers to. The pressure must be kept up on them and there must be accountability for their decisions
1:38 [Comment From Adam Curry]
martinez does not have the experiance, he gets a draw with a rubbish PL team and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon ffs
1:38 Lee Ryder: Good point Adam Curry
1:38 Matt McKenzie: Right everyone, that’s about all we’ve got time for today.
Any final points, Luke and Lee?
1:39 Luke Edwards: Yeah you bunch of bandwagon jumpers! Whatever happened to Hitzfeld’s bandwagon now that he’s fiddling with cuckoo clocks and chocoloate in Switzerland
1:39 [Comment From Cathal]
Thanks guys – Toon til I die
1:39 Luke Edwards: chocolate, sorry
1:39 [Comment From Adam Curry]
see yas later lads
1:39 Lee Ryder: Just wanted to thank people for turning up.
All the best folks
1:39 [Comment From James [dingo]]
cheers lads
1:39 Luke Edwards: Speak again soon
1:39 [Comment From totsy]
cheers lad enjoyed this….would like this more often
1:39 [Comment From geordie jock]
Excellant do it again please
1:40 [Comment From totsy]
i just want the fans to be heard and answered. we need the club to break the silence
1:40 [Comment From Michael]
cheers
1:40 [Comment From Tom]
Bye
1:40 [Comment From filthy mag]
Thanks Guys
1:40 [Comment From Carl]
See you
1:40 [Comment From Jamie]
Cheers you 2
1:40 [Comment From John]
Missing you already
1:40 [Comment From mcshane]
mwah xxx
1:40 [Comment From Pete (In Cyprus)]
Ask about a TV station for the TOON!! 🙂
1:40 [Comment From Graeme]
Podcast!
1:40 [Comment From http://www.geordies.net]
and its goodbye from him
1:40 Luke Edwards: Babestation?!
1:40 [Comment From Canny Lad]
Thanks all.
1:40 [Comment From nicky butttt]
bye
1:41 [Comment From totsy]
peace
1:41 Luke Edwards: Right, I’m really off now, it’s lunchtime
1:41 [Comment From Tim]
Bye
1:41 [Comment From nicky butttt]
thanks lee and luke
1:42 [Comment From Jon]
See ya
1:42 [Comment From Eric]
Bye
1:42 [Comment From furrygiblets]
Cya
1:42 [Comment From Mike]
Goodbye everyone
1:42 [Comment From Will]
If I switched on to Babestation and saw two bald-headed blokes, I’d be asking for my money back sharpish
Stuart79
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Comment #61It’s absolutely ridiculous that we are putting our future in the hands of a coach and a 3rd division manager!
The club surely need to act immediatly and appoint a permanant manager. I would appoint Steve Bruce.
Bruce has a fine record in buying good players and has done well with limited resources in the jobs he’s had.
More importantly he’s a Geordie and he understands the club and the city! We need someone in now!
beyethegreat
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Comment #62taggart?
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Comment #63Fergie is Taggart or Red Nose.
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Comment #64Bruce is only a Geordie wen he wants to be.
He is a Man Yoo supporter.
beyethegreat
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #65thanks tt
i like martinez but worry about the way fans will react when we eventually go through a rough patch
is ketsbaia a manager that plays decent football
Stuart79
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Comment #66Tom_Toon
He sounds like a Geordie and that’s good enough for me!
All his family still live here and he would really love the job and whatever you think he really understands the place. That is the biggest bonus of all!
Too many good managers just don’t understand the place and they fail!
Craigg
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Comment #67I meant clamor BTW
Mickey toon
I dont think dropping from the heady heights of playing in league, european cup and domestic cup winning sides to take on no hopers in non league football is taking the easy route.
Mourinho has had an easy route to where he is he leeched of Robson at Porto and Barca and later Van Gaal, Got his move to Benfica (not an easy route??), He did well at Leiria no doubt but Porto are regarded as the biggest club in portugal and certainly had the most money in portugal during Mourinhos time there.
Anyone who watched Mourinhos porto cheat there way to victory over O’Neills Celtic would lose respect for him not to mention their incredible fluke champions league win and chelseas constant antics
(FA Cup 1/4 final 06 springs to mind).
On Chelsea, was that not an easy route to the top the then richest club in the world who had at the time spent £200m under Ranieri followed by a massive chunk during Mourinhos time there.
To say he has done OK with Villa is an understatment as they have done what Bobby did with us and im sure you would take them days back in a flash and did you think Bobby over relied on british talent when he was here because signing foreign players under Gullit worked much better didnt it ?
Toronto_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Comment #68Kinnear simply has to be replaced. There’s no room for sentimentality here.
Van Gaal is a great manager, but wouldn’t come, and not at this stage in the season when his side are going to win the Eredivisie. Sadly – he’s my first choice.
Jol would be a really good appointment if he’d come.
Ketsbaia looks promising, but it would be a punt on a manager who hasn’t managed in a big league.
Martinez looks extremely promising – again, a bit of a gamble at this stage, but might be inspirational. I’d be happy with that appointment.
Sven would be a first-rate appointment. Move now, because Mexico will unload him after losing at home to the U.S. They never lose to them at home!
Bruce would be a mediocre appointment.
Shearer won’t come under Ashley and Wise. He needs to manage another club first anyway.
ronaldeano
Feb 16, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Comment #69bennytoon // Feb 16, 2009 at 1:10 PM
king,woodgate,dawson and corluka are better than colo.
modic,lennon and bentley are better than jonas.
cudicini is better than harper,
Keane ,pav,defoe and bent(according to kinnear wanting to swap him) are better than Oba. bassong and beye- i dont know who they are.
AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
What a sad, thick, pubeless little mong Babytool is! 🙂
He realy does live in his own little fantasy world!!
Mark-o
Feb 16, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Comment #70Benny toon, if all those players are better than ours how come you below us in the league?
THE MAGPIE
Feb 16, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Comment #71You have to remember why Joe was offered a 2 and a half year contract-because the 3 wise men thought they could control him. Even Joe knew that and was waiting before signing.
No Manager is going to be interested especially a British one working under the present management structure.
Born Again Geordie
Feb 16, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Comment #72beenytool is a complete deluded tugger who lives in a spuds fantasy world !!
I bet he is just like Tatoo from Fantasy Island, where everyone is a cockernee and a proper decent geezer !!!! Gawd bless ya guvner !!!
“Boss! the plane, boss! the plane – I think saggy face is on it !!!” lol 🙂
Wigaz
Feb 16, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Comment #73Ed i was so happy to see you wrote an article about Bruce, then you had to go & say something deluded like JK is going to get us to Europe! The only way that bloke could gets us to Europe is on easyjet! WAKE UP! he’s 62 his heart is shot to shite & all he’s done is fire fight for us since he’s come in. Honestly have you seen a game when you’ve thought wow we’re def going to climb the league with this type of football. If you have you must be watching a different team to me mate. JK has done a decent job in a bad situation no doubt but he is not the man to take us forward for the next two years. If you belive it Ed you have been brainwashed by Del boy & Fat man. Bruce is the best manager we could get at the mo. He can spot good players doesn’t spend millions to get em & he’s not scared to give youth a go either.
Micky Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #74Craiggg – I think it’s a bit harsh on Mourinho to say he Leeched of Robson and Van Gaal. He was Robsons translator who showed a keen interest in the game. If anything I’d say he learned his trade from two of the best and has applied his knowledge in a successfull manner while building upon his knowledge with his experience with the club he’s managed.
O’Neil is over rated in my opinion and for me and when he’s managed safe clubs.
It’s all very well having money to spend, but you have to spend it wisely and know what to do with the players once you have them. You only have to look at our past history to see that big spending does not equal success.
Mourinho can walk into any job in the world of football, can that be said about O’Neil?
Mourinho has worked at very high profile clubs where success is demanded and the clubs are expected to win something every year. O’Neil hasn’t done this. Like I said the only club you can say he has been at that did have pressure was Celtic and he always had a 50-50 chance of winning a weak league.
nufcursed
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Comment #75you talk like you think kinnear can get us to 7th
workyticket
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Comment #76nufcursed // Feb 16, 2009 at 6:11 PM
“you talk like you think kinnear can get us to 7th”
Well he got Wimbledon up to 6th nufcursed, then as soon as he left, they were relegated.
Wigaz
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Comment #77Worky how long ago was that mate? Plus he’s a lot older & in a lot worse nick healthwise now.
Tom_Toon
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Comment #78You have got have scews lose to think Kinnear would get us into europe even with £30mil to spend. No offence Ed 🙂
workyticket
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Comment #79Wigaz // Feb 16, 2009 at 6:37 PM
“Worky how long ago was that mate? Plus he’s a lot older & in a lot worse nick healthwise now.”
Around two or three years before Keegan had his last top six finish Wigaz.
workyticket
Feb 16, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Comment #80and with a MUCH smaller budget.