It’s now Friday, which is normally classed as the end of the week, so that means Alan Shearer is due to discover from Newcastle owner Mike Ashley what the verdict of the bankers is, and whether he will be made permanent manager at his home town club.
Joe Kinnear – could this man return to Newcastle?
We try to read the tea leaves of this situation this morning.
The bankers have been going over the restructuring plans that Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias came up with last week, and the club is attempting to get the short-term cash injection needed to install Shearer.
Of course Shearer has had his hands tied behind his back until he hears the verdict on all of this, which we were promised at the end of this week from Derek Llambias.
Once the answer arrives, Mike Ashley then has to decide whether or not to give Shearer’s proposals the green light and make him Newcastle’s manager.
But it seems to us it is hardly good news that Louise Taylor of the Guardian is reporting this morning that Alan Shearer has gone away on holiday to Portugal yesterday, and will fly back to Newcastle in Monday. So that doesn’t look good to us.
But we have a hard time believing that things will be sorted out today, and there there could be another delay that takes the situation into next week. That would not be good, but what’s new?
That would explain why Alan has taken a short vacation – or it could also be that Joe Kinnear is emerging as the likely manager of Newcastle for their first Championship campaign.
Why Mike hasn’t appointed Alan Shearer before now though is beyond us – Mike seems to be stopping Alan from just getting on with things that must be done quickly at the club, and his vacation could be viewed as a little ominous.
Ig Joe comes back in, that would be deja vu all over again, and runs the club until a buyer is found – but that just seems too ridiculous for words, that Joe would decide which players to bring in, and which can leave, when a new owner would need to select his own manager.
Of course, unless months pass by again and Mike decides to keep the club with Joe Kinnear in charge. Oh no!
Then history would definitely be repeating itself at Newcastle – but not for the good of the club – that’s for sure.
Comments welcome.
52 comments so far
lesh
Jun 5, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Comment #1Am I missing something here Ed?
If JFK’s a possibility to continue as interim, then why can’t Ashely appoint Al on a similar basis?
Something that was in todays Grauniad and I couldn’t see it on its website, was a short piece that suggested that Ashley may well put the club into administration.
The reasoning behind that thesis is that Ashle bought NUFC to outdo his best mate, whose name escapes me, the big Spurs fan whose business (Rock?) has gone belly up.
Don’t we just love it!
Ed Harrison
Jun 5, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Comment #2I know – I’m not getting it fully either – but you’ve got to think Mike doesn’t want to appoint Shearer for some reason ???? I’ll add a bit above – it isn’t too logical right now – but what’s new?
Nick D
Jun 5, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Comment #3We really are a sick joke as a club. From a top 4 club with SBR to being managed by Kinnear in the championship and having moronic hoods like Barton alienating us from once being everyone’s favourite second team – the entertainers!
Ashley is doing to us exactly what he did to Sports direct shareholders, giving us a mushroom diet, keeping us in the dark and feeding us crap.
Stardust made some valid points in defence of MA, but at the end of the day, Ashley has almost been as calamitous as Shepherd. No one in their right mind would have had Dennis Wise or Kinnear involved at any level whatsoever. His croney-ism won the day but lost such an expensive war.
Partizan
Jun 5, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Comment #4All this story about MA selling the club for ONLY 100 mill and cannot find a buyer yet is making me puke.
He can find a buyer today if he wants and sell it even for 120 mill,,,but he doesnt wanna do that.
What he wants first is to sell
Martins-8 mill
Colo-7 mill
Jonas-7 mill
Xisco-4 mill
Bassong-12 mill
Nolan-3 mill
Enrique-4 mill
Smith-3 mill
Geremi-1 mill
When all this is done,he’ll spend maybe 7 mill on some Chamionship and Div 1 players and sell the club for 110 mill.
All in all he’ll walk out with around 145-150 mill this Summer.
Coca Cola
Jun 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Comment #5I don’t think Alan Shearer would be willing to continue as temporary manager in the way that Kinnear probably is.
In actual fact, does anyone know if Kinnear is physically up to the job – I presume there was a reason that he has not been mentioned by Ashley/Llambias (i.e. that his health precludes him from taking the job)?
In all honesty, the way things are at the moment, I wouldn’t be averse to having Iain Dowie take the reins if Shearer isn’t willing/able. We just need someone in, and at least Dowie has experience of promotion from the 2nd tier of football.
mag_pie-eater
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:02 AM
Comment #6Nick D, I totally disagree with your comment that MA has almost been as bad as Fat Fred. He has been a million times worse. At least Fred did have the club at heart, even if he was a money grabbing n0b heed. I’m not saying I would have him back, but Ashley has absolutely torn this club apart. Wise, Silence of the Llambias, JFK Hughton and Calderwood, and now this. At least with Fred he knew money had to be spent, even if we didn’t have that money. “There will be a decision on Friday”, I would stick my life savings on there being no announcement whatsoever.
I can’t even imagine the direction which we are heading at the moment, it is far too depressing. The longer this goes on, the more realistic a Leeds United situation becomes. It is a strong word, but for what he has done I, like the majority of us, despise MA with a passion. The quicker he’s out the door the better. Dark days.
Partizan
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:02 AM
Comment #7Sooo many good managers around the globe and we’re sticking with cavemen such as JK.
Just stay in bed JK and let some modern age manager takes over….your time is up i’m afraid.
reetpetite
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Comment #8Just heard that Girls Aloud are playing Newcastle in August.
They are expected to win 3-0
sorry, couldnt resist.
Good news regards liverpool being in financial meltdown. Hopefully utd, chelski, and portsmouth to follow suit.
estechco
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Comment #9Trying to put a positive spin on the headlines…perhaps AS is having a break now as he is unlikely to get one in the rest of the summer…assuming he does indeed get the go ahead.
Partizan
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Comment #10Mag pie eater–I couldn’t agree with you more on that.
FS was maybe greedy,,,but at least i was enjoying watching my team in the CL and going head to head with the big 4……oh sorry about that,,,,,WE WERE THE BIG 4 THEN!!!!
Look at us now 🙁
Ericles
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Comment #11We have not a mention in todays soccer gossip columns so far. As it stands I see no announcement about anything to do with Shearer or NUFC being made today. Ashley is a complete incompetent. I would rather have the fat one we know (Shepherd) back rather than the fat one (MA) we have come to know stay. Did Moses ever play fottball? Take that back – he would have been a Spurs fan anyway!
Toon Graeme
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Comment #12Please god no Joe Kinnear.
The man is a grade one gob Sh*te and plays dinosaur football.
Even Shearer has condemned the way the training was before he came in – not to mention the fitness of the players.
Please for the love of christ can we just have some good bloody news about our club. I am sick off it all.
It still doesnt ring true as to why Shearer would identify his targets etc.
Its about as clear as mud – but hey thats what we have been used to for so long now isnt it.
One sick toon fan today!
Graeme
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Comment #13Why would MA appoint an unknown managerial talent into a position at the club, when he’s trying to sell it??
Surely its in both the clubs best interests and his own, that any new owner has the maximum amount of input into this very important appointment. Likewise, why would he allow yet another possible interim manager to spend club money on players any new owner may not want??
MA sacked Fat Sam within months of taking over and most of his signings have been slagged off as not up to the task of playing for NUFC (with a few notable exceptions). Getting rid of them is going to cost us a fortune!!! Why repeat the same mistake yet again??
I believe we are in limbo. MA wont spend a penny he doesnt have to; he wont authorize any player recruitment in case it isnt what any new owner wants. Likewise, he wont appoint a new Manager for exactly the same reason.
The NUFC merry-go-round yet again!!!
Please, please, please, can we have a new owner who will appoint HIS manager and then give him a minimum of 5 years to sort the club out, once and for all and bring stability back to our club.
After 47 years as a supporter, Its not too much to wish for, surely!!!!
tilley
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Comment #14Had a chance to give Joe a good kicking last week as he was playing cricket in the village next to me.
I didn’t realize it until it was in the paper the next day.
http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/mid-sussex-news/Joe-Kinnear-gets-reason-to.5315056.jp
Ericles
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Comment #15Joe Kinnear back would be a suicide mission for him and the club. Shearer in charge means bums on seats, playing bums out the door, passion and commitment, and a good chance of getting back to the Premier. Get a move on Ashley – Spurs and your mates are down south!
del
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Comment #16JFK won more games than Shearer. Can’t argue with FACTS.
Nick D
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Comment #17estechco
AS says every day nothing happens, another room burns down as we are already way behing other teams in our preparation. Now’s the worst time possible to go away
Nick D
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Comment #18Missed a trick with martinez
marshy
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Comment #19fatashley may have said he would let shearer know by friday but did he say which friday?
Nick D
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Comment #20Del: JK is a poor man’s allardyce and that’s saying something.
Just long ball rubbish football, sprinkled with a pathetic offside system and trying to kick people. JK = poor tactics, poor subs, poor signings, no plan B, no youth etc etc.
He didn’t work particularly hard, he was hardly ever at training. He was just obese and liked to mouth off = walking heart attack material.
batty
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Comment #21TOONGRAME funny that as i mentioned it yesterday m8 aboot jokerkinnear
Jezza
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Comment #22As others have said, Ashley does seems reluctant to give thye job to Shearer. This is all dragging on for too long, I fear that if Shearer was going to get the job it would have happened by now. It’s feeling increasingly inevitable that Kinnear will return as manager and when that happens we can instantly say goodbye to any faint hopes we might have had of a promotion/play off challenge next season. Kinnear’s appointment will guarantee a bottom half of the Championship finish next season in front of average crowds of 25,000.
batty
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Comment #23agree jezza
Whumpie
Jun 5, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Comment #24Ed, PLEASE stop the scare-mongering. There is a good reason why AS hasn’t been signed: it would breach every banking agreement and tenet going.
If Barclays have granted an operating facility of £40m, it would have been on the condition that commitment above a certain amount or duration cannot be made without their say-so.
Getting relegated would have triggered a clause which ties the club’s hands even tighter. There is NO WAY Ashley can sign a 4-year, seven-figure contract until Barclays come back with a response. It would be an invalid contract, and Ashley would be liable for prosecution. It would certainly scupper any chance of backing from the banks.
Big Al said “end of the week”, and I suspect that’s because he knows that’s when Barclays are coming in with a response. His is the only voice I trust, and he’s spoken. Let’s at least wait until the end of the week before leaping to assumptions of armageddon.
Ashley and Llamearse have both said very publicly that they want Big Al in place, and that won’t have changed.
In the mean time, there is plenty of evidence that the scouting and recruitment team are out there lining up every deal (in and out) they can, with contracts ready for ink as soon as it can be done legally.
Big Al, quite understandably, has gone for a couple of days’ rest in what may prove to be the only gap in proceedings for months. He’s been working 16-hour days for weeks and he’s gonna need the rest.
All we are missing – and it’s the same old story – is communication. Ashley and his useless cronies just need to feed us something – some reassurance, some “don’t worry, we are on it but we can’t release info until it’s done” type message.
But leaping to the worst possible conclusions – some of the conspiracy theorist idiots on here feed on that rubbish and it’s embarrassing.
Ed Harrison
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Comment #25Whumpie – I’m not trying to do any scaremongering – honest – just trying to read between the lines – that’s all.
I would LOVE Alan to be appointed manager – but I don’t really trust Mike much these days.
Nobby_Long
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Comment #26From my point of view, the problem does not seem to be that Ashley is delaying appointing Shearer, it is more that Shearer won’t sign the contract until he knows the business plan has been approved…….i.e that the club is going to do what Shearer has aked to give him working capital to start the re-building
hitman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Comment #27JK,will never come back as manager hes 1 heart beat away from death,the pressure would kill him.
Rangerman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Comment #28At least with Fred he knew money had to be spent, even if we didn’t have that money.
…….
It was that way of thinking that put this big financial cloud over us in the first place.
Rangerman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Comment #29It’s funny the things people have come up with in this thread for the reason why Shearer isn’t manager yet or we haven’t been bought out.
Read Whumpie’s post as to why Shearer isn’t the manager yet and try to remember that the club has only been up for sale about a week.
Whumpie
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Comment #30Fair enough, Ed – but I sometimes wonder how you find what you do between those lines. I suppose that after the season we’ve had, it is hard to see any good reasons for anything.
I don’t trust Ashley either – why the hell is he not learning to communicate?? Does he not now realise that if he says nothing the press will just make stuff up to fill the gap? To not issue any kind of statement for a week is just ridiculous – there should be a daily update from Llambias on the website, at least.
sahota
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Comment #31@Whumpie Good see you are hopeful for best to come out. As you said its lack of communication which is problem. Everyone is fed up from Mike and co due to lack of communication. I also still think that there is good chance Shearer will be manager. Somehow things are also not in Mike’s hands. He need go ahead from bank. And I guess Shearer understands that too otherwise by now Shearer would have walked away. So I am still hopeful but yes stories like JOE coming back and others are very frustrating. I don’t think Mike will do it again. I think he has learned the lesson. And I think he would like to continue to own the Newcastle but he don’t have money to do so.
Rangerman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Comment #32I don’t expect the club to comment about the financial situation that has to be met tbh, especially since the club is up for sale.
hitman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Comment #33anyone know how long shearer is on his hols for.
JJJ
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Comment #34Stardust has made a few valid points behind the ethics of a good owner, however his blindness towards how Ashley simply isnt that man is quite apparent….
Firstly yes, we do not need a quick fix and we need to fix everything at the club from the ground up. But Ashley may well have bought the club with those intentions but once he lost his major wealth status his plan changed into trying to recoup finances for himself using our club…
The up front payments for 3 years season tickets… (that money wont be seen if we are sold), the money from the Given, Milner, NZogbia transfers, none of that money will be seen.
He has taken away all advertising income from the stadium and placed Sports Direct signage everywhere.
He has failed to with his appointments in every department…
– Managers (poor selections) with perhaps the exception of Keegan who had us playing well however he failed to give him backing with tranfers… his stubborness (Cost 6Mil compensation).
– Dennis Wise, a massive disappointment when first signed and disruption to the managers role (3 Mil Compensation).
– Kinnear was then signed up, who was so lacking in tactical ability he made Keegan look like Mourinho and he signed players like Ryan Taylor and resigned Ameobi (the one man we have been praying to leave – giving him another 3 years!!!!).
– He appointed Derek Limbias, a casino manager to run the club and quite clearly knew nothing about football or how to run a club, communicate with supporters (absolute disasater).
So to sum Ashley up:
– He cleared our debts to save himself money on interest…
– He then tried to recoup some of his investment by selling our best players and replacing them on the cheap (Wises role).
– He cost us Millions in signage probably at least 3Mil being kind in sponsorship. Being in media and advertising I know what these advertisements cost… so its actually a lot more.
– Millions in empty seats per game (3000 empty seats per game equates to 5Mil a season) that would normally be full.
– About 12Mil in compensations to managers and staff. (Scouts and managers).
– If his appointments had been up to standard and we’d had some consistancy and minimal investment we would be a top 12 at least team if he’d backed Keegan instead of Wise.
Thats 5mil pounds just on Premiership placing reward money… we would have retained our premiership status which has cost us 40Mil in television revenue…
– We’ve probably lost out on sales of merchandise which I wont even factor in.
– And finally lets add in the about 4Mil net profit he has made in transfers over the last two seasons.
So basically the 100Mil debts he paid off he has taken 80% of it back.
Then we add in the fact that our club has lost about 100Mil of its overall value.
We have taken a massive knock to our reputation. No manager is remotely interested in working under the “Ashley” regime.
I’d pretty much say that Mike Ashley is the worst thing ever to happen to this club…
Yet people like Stardust refuse to acknowlegdge how he has destroyed us…
If only he hadnt been so skint and invested something of his wealth into the football side of things and not the banking side to save himself a few bob then we’d all be rising Stardust happy little red bus on the upward path.
As it is Ashley thought he was a hero mechanic that could fix our old braking system, realised he is just a fat slob that could only remove the brakes but not install new ones, and now we are rolling back down the hill at an alarming accelerating pace and even though Ashely knows if he jumps off he’ll get hurt and least he’ll survive. Leaving us true supporters praying on the bus for a miracle as we roll towards our doom…
Stardust, o make it simple in your nursery school story, (we arnt stupid you dont have to talk to us like children)…
Ashley is a POES… (South Africans will know what that means)
stevep
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Comment #35Unbelievable!! Joe Kinnear will not be able to attract anyone – he’ll say yes to selling everyone, we’ll therefore end up creating a self fulfilling prophecy of lessening crowds meaning we have to sell our best players / youngsters which means yet lower crowds which means ………. you get the idea – Leeds here we come!
Isaac Hunt
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Comment #36JJJ: Wow. Impressive post m8!
hitman
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Comment #37spot on jjj m8.
Micky Toon
Jun 5, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Comment #38Top post JJJ.
I’ve said it a million times before MA didn’t set out to destory NUFC. He is completely out of his depth. He thought he knew what was best for the club without understanding what the club is about.
Whumpie
Jun 5, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Comment #39JJJ – like the post, but there’s one bit which I have to take issue with: “he has taken 80% of it back”.
He hasn’t taken any back. That is called fraud.
Bottom line: he’s put in about a quarter of a billion, and won’t get a penny out until it sells. The difference between the two numbers is the amount he’s lost – probably in the order of £160m. Which must sting a bit.
But any idea of taking money out of NUFC is daft. He’s taken a huge hit on the club, and that’s his own fault – but let’s not pretend he’s gained anything; far from it.
In fact, his reputation is ruined, he’s lost everything he made from the Sports Direct flotation thing and then some. I just hope he’s not left alone with any sharp objects or the club could be owned by his kids soon!
Toon_Factor
Jun 5, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Comment #40I thought we played better football when Joe was incharge and I actually never felt like we were going to be relegated either when he was manager