There’s a little bit of good news in the News Of The World today, and we’ll assume it’s true and report what they are saying and look at what it may mean to the Newcastle club.
With no manager in place and unlikely to be one until new owners are installed, at the earliest the end of this month, Newcastle have appointed agents First Artists this week to begin a sale of the high wage-earners at the cub.
Yes those players who got the club relegated. Let’s list some of them who will move on:
Michael Owen
Mark Viduka
Fabricio Coloccini
Jose Enrique
Claudio Cacapa
Joey Barton
Alan Smith
Jonas Gutierrez
Xisco
Oba Martins
Geremi
Not all of the above were to fault for the terrible season of course – but these are the ones who will definitely move out this summer.
The rest of the players not listed there we hope we can keep, but with no manager on the horizon it looks like decent offers for any of our players will be accepted. And apparently the agency has been told to offload as many players as possible, and they will work closely with Seymour Pierce in a bid to put the club in better shape for the various groups looking to take control.
This group of players will be long remembered for letting the club and the Newcastle supporters down – and we will not forget easily.
But it’s a pity we don’t have a manager in place, since whoever that turns out to be, may want to keep some but those such as Bassong, Lovenkrands and Nolan. However, these players may not want to stay around in the cauldron of uncertainty that is the Newcastle club right now.
Newcastle have 15 players on more than £50K a week and of thise we understand there are 7 who are earning more than £70K/week – and yes they were not good enough to keep the club in the Premier League last year – so that’s something in their CVs (resumes) that will not go away.
A source told the NOTW about First Artists:
“They have offices all around the world,” “They are seen as the ideal people to cut the playing staff. They are strong in Europe. The banks trust them.”
Newcastle are hoping to get around £20M for Obafemi Martins, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez and Joey Barton. We paid about £37M for those 5 players, all bought within Ashley’s time at the club. 🙁
Fiorentina want Coloccini, Atletico Madrid have asked about Enrique and Barton could end up at Portsmouth. And Oba seems to be on the radar screen of at least three Premier League clubs.
The NOTW is reporting that Ashley and the Newcastle club were given an extended overdraft by Barclay’s Bank, at a reduced rate from the initial £40m facility, down to around £30m.
We don’t really know too much about who the potential takeover groups may be, but we hear most have English businessmen fronting the deals, But the NOTW is reporting that one is American based and the other has North East businessmen at its core. That’s probably the one with Freddy Shepherd fronting the deal, although we have heard conflicting stories even about that.
This has been an utter disaster for Mike Ashley.
And his ownership of Newcastle has been an utter disaster for the club who are now in the English Second Division, and the last two years that have caused nightmares for many fans, and Newcastle’s name has hardly been enhanced, to say the least.
Not that Mike himself hasn’t suffered for his many stupid mistakes, freely admitted by the way, because he will lose up to £150M in two years.
There could well be some celebrations on Tyneside when the new owners come in – and we will need to keep looking on the bright side, difficult though that may be right now.
We have to hope the new owners understand Newcastle and the club – something Ashley and his cronies never did, and that was part of the problem.
Comments welcome.
81 comments so far
Tom_Toon
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Comment #1Add Ryan Taylor and Nolan to that list please and Duff if he doesn’t take a wage cut, he is on 80k p/w.
Penalty-Spot
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Comment #2What a bloody mess. Who could blame any player wanting to leave this ship hole.
I cannot believe what the state of play is. Take relegation out of the equation and it’s still so so poor.
1st Artist corporation???! Who the f are they? What the bloody hell is going on?
We need a manager to be making the who to sell who not to decisions not an ‘artist’ broker.
Balls.
Penalty-Spot
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Comment #3OK I’ve calmed down a bit now. This is who they are http://www.firstartist.com/ they have a finger in all sorts of pies. Mainly entertainment so hardly suitable for our players 🙂
Is there any risk of the ‘powers’ just sellinhg everyone and plunging us in to a no-squad mire?
Rangerman
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Comment #4We can’t get rid of everyone.
Tom_Toon
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Comment #5and and Ameobi, surely his time is up now?
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Comment #6JC 7 players on over 7ok a week thats scandeless
Dragonera
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #7TT
Don’t think too hard about who deserves a place at the club and who doesn’t, otherwise you will end up wanting rid of everyone bar the youth team.
t_bone_tc
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #8Where will the money go if these players are sold before the club gets taken over? Could Mike pocket the cash and do a runner?
Rangerman
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Comment #9I don’t believe we have 7 players on over £70k per week. Owen, Viduka and Duff I would say earn over that.
Rangerman
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Comment #10Where will the money go if these players are sold before the club gets taken over? Could Mike pocket the cash and do a runner?
…..
Fee’s paid in installments and the money into the clubs accounts.
Dragonera
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Comment #11t bone
No, mate. Most transfer fees are paid over the course of the players contract. Normally over 2 or 3 years. I doubt we will get lump sums for the awful players we are going to sell.
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #12would love to know who the 7 players are Owen is 1 I think viduka could be one and maybe oba
G 2
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #13Shambles, mass clear out was needed regardless of what league we were in. Put the wage money to the future (Bassong etc)
Alex
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #14Ed
Martins was bought by sheppard while roeder was coach and i think Barton was brought in before Ashley took over too . i hope that we at least keep Guthrie also i think Nolan would come good in the CCC .
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Comment #15I wonder if freedom of info act covers players wages. lol
Stuart79
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #16I’d give all the fcking wasters away!
repo
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Comment #17Ha ha ha News of the World
it must be true…….
Tom_Toon
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Comment #18The only way Nolan could come good if he went on a detox in Tibet until his contract comes to an end. Uesless.
liam27
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Comment #19What a load of tosh! While I agree that these players are a waste of time, please explain how exactly these players have contributed to our demise. They have barely played this season – I think blaming these guys is a bit far-fetched…
Claudio Cacapa
Alan Smith
Xisco
Geremi
Tino 11
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Comment #20Lets hope this is what they’ve been hired to do, rather than sell our more valuable players like Bassong, S.Taylor, Beye etc, i wouldn’t trust fat ashley!
Archie Brand
Jun 7, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Comment #21Why is it that all season everyone on this site has been singing the praises of Jonas – now they want rid of him as a waste of space?
No wonder they’re queueing up to leave.
sirjasontoon
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Comment #22Shocking State of affairs,really painful to see the club in this state…my hatred of Mike Ashley seems really justified…the man is a lunatic.
I use the word “man” loosely I think Coward sums him up better.
We are going to be so ravaged by the time training begins pre-season…heartbroken Geordie me.
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Comment #23Alex, Barton was brought in by Ma
sirjasontoon
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Comment #24Archie..Jonas has run tirelessly all season,unfortunately that is all he has done..get rid I say he needs a rest.
Rangerman
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Comment #25Ashley owned SJH’s shares but Shepherd was still in charge of day to day running of the club when Barton was signed, if I remember correctly Barton went around Shepherd’s house to thank him for taking a chance on him.
Penalty-Spot
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Comment #26Archie Brand
On his day Jonas was really good and showed brilliant signs early on. Towards the mid/end of the season his commitment could certainly be questioned with some very suspect ‘could’t be arsed’ performances.
He came with a goal scoring record too…
Personally I liked him but considering his wage (presumably v high) I think he needs to go. Take a wage cut, work hard EVERY game, welcome back; same as last season…won’t wash.
Rangerman
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Comment #27I think people suffer with short term memory, Archie.
The same people want to keep Taylor and think he was one of our best players this season even though he was useless apart from the last half dozen matches.
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Comment #28Lads I like Jonas and I honestly think if you put him in a half decent team he would be a cracker player. how could you expect him to shine with the team we had.
Toon_Factor
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #29Penalty-Spot
“He came with a goal scoring record too….”
What goalscoring record? before he signed for newcastle he managed 6 goals in 195 games for his two clubs i the league. thats about 1 goal every 32 game!
ginkoh
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Comment #30How can we sell our players in situation that we still don’t have the manager !! -*-
newcastle29
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Comment #31nile ranger is on their books as is beckford.
http://www.firstartistsport.com/
newcastle29
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Comment #32Penalty-Spot try looking on their sports site!
http://www.firstartistsport.com/
Big Dave
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Comment #33A mate just sent me a txt Newcastle are to get new shirt sponsers Tampax, a spokesman for tampax said that a team full of F*nnies going through a bad period is a partnership made in heaven for them. lol
BenjiToon
Jun 7, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Comment #34Lads, this company are OK but NOTW making out they are some kind of super-agency is NOT all that helpful. Sure thay can tout playes for the clubs management (shouldn’e we have an actual MANAGER doing that?) but each player has their own people already working on possible moves and deals.
Add to that the fact that the buying clubs (for those who are under contract on July 1st – not Cacapa, Owen or Viduka) hold the trump card. Basically, nothing moves that helps NUFC until the buyer makes an offer. Players can negotiate preliminary contracts and the clubs have initial discussions till they are blue in the face…they have to actually offer money and agree the fee.
As we are desperate for money, buying clubs can use that to their advantage. Propose small offers and negotiate, while they trawl the market for other possibles. None of this helps us.
What we need is to directly approach clubs about specific players. Start with ones we know have been interested, and give them a ball park but reasonable figure. Here’s some ideas:
Fenerbache or Olympiakos – Geremi, £1.5m
Everton or Blackburn – Alan Smith, £2.5m
Atletico – Jose Enrique, £4m
Porsmouth or Bolton – Barton, £2m
Fiorentina, Arsenal or Spurs – Oba Martins, £8m
Fiorentina or Sevilla – Fabricio Coloccini, £8m
Cacapa, Owen, Viduka – all leave on a free
That makes us £26m and saves over £500k p/w in wages or £26m a year. So that clears things up with the bank. Althoug it will take time!
Doocey
Jun 7, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Comment #35£8m for Coloccini? Please…
Nick D
Jun 7, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Comment #36I will hardly be celebrating if it’s shepherd coming back !!!!!!!!!!!!
Toon Graeme
Jun 7, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Comment #37Can someone explain to me how this information gets to the NOTW (if true).
The fans hear well – f**k all compared to the press.
I have always advocated 100% support for the toon and am seriously starting to question continuing my season ticket and am thinking match by match ticket.
The silence of the Llambias is starting to pee me off now.
Im hoping the Luke Edwards and Lee Ryder can get something from the club with credible written all over it.
The clock is ticking away and we need a manager in place before July 1st.
Pi$$ is boiling.
Anyone else having thoughts about season tickets? (I know I will renew)
Dan4Toon
Jun 7, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Comment #38The ‘Papers’ are saying that Shearer isn’t Ashleys first choice that’s why he’s not been confirmed but remember what he !accually! said when we went down:
“Bringing Alan Shearer back to Newcastle United was the best decision I have made. Alan and his staff did all they could to try and keep us up in the short space of time they had. Talks are now ongoing between us about how we can take this Club forward again.”
Ed Harrison
Jun 7, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Comment #39We just have to hope the club is bought shortly by some decent owners – I’d like to see Alan brought in quickly – because he would ignite the fans – and could bring some very good players to the club – and he would need to rely on Dowie and maybe John Carver to help him along initially – as far as experienced goes.
But these are really testing times for all fans – let’s hope we get some good news shortly – I don’t even know what thought process Ashley goes through these days – but a good business man? You could have fooled me – he would have been sacked at a normal business long before now, for his complete incompetence.
Toon Graeme
Jun 7, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Comment #40Ed – Alan Sugar would have sacked him in week 1 of the Apprentice.
Not only has Ashley got no idea but who is running in on a day to day basis – Mr Llambias – not a clue – not a bloody clue.
I do hope that we hear something this week – the clock is ticking and yet again – we are a joke!
Im watching England on the 20-20 world cup cricket – its not a patch on football but its better than England football match on Saturday. Christ did I just say that?!!