News last night that Mike Ashley will put any managerial appointment at St James’ Park on hold, but only until Barry Moat’s bid to buy Newcastle United is finally resolved.
Alan Shearer – could still take over on Tyneside – maybe
This is being reported in the Times, and apparently the sale rests in the hands of Barclays Bank, which has told the Tyneside businessman that it will respond to his request to borrow funds within the next 5 days.
That will take us though to next Wednesday at the latest – and time continues to pass by in this mess of a sale.
We would assume that if Barclays OK the deal, then that will give Moat enough funds to persuade Ashley to sell, but that’s a guess on our part.
However, the sale is going tortuously slowly, but at least yesterday the club signed Danny Simpson on loan from Manchester United.
Simpson was on loan at Blackburn last season and for long periods couldn’t get in the first team, but what we’ve seen of the 22 year-old, he is an accomplished player and will help balance the squad.
Ashley is expected to attend Newcastle’s home match against Reading today, and will probably get some shouts of disapproval, to put it mildly, from the fans, who will clearly let the owner know they don’t want him to keep the club.
But it at least looks like Mike is prepared to extend his deadline for Moat’s takeover of the club into next week, and that will raise the hopes of Geordie fans that a positive outcome may still be found.
Barclays Bank is also Newcastle’s lender and has been pressing for the club’s £40M overdraft to be reduced, but with the club selling Obafemi Martins, Sébastien Bassong, Habib Beye and now possibly Damien Duff, almost £23M has been brought into the club’s coffers.
Moat will immediately appoint Alan Shearer if he is successful and he has kept Alan informed of developments.
In the meantime, Newcastle have been preparing for the possibility of the bid from Moat, who is understood to have American backing, falling through.
Talks with David O’Leary have surprisingly not resulted in any agreement (yet), and we think Mike will again turn to Joe Kinnear, assuming Joe is healthy enough.
And betting on the Newcastle manager was suspended on Thursday night, after news of the O’Leary deal had fallen through, and the odds on Kinnear tightened significantly.
Since we have signed Danny Simpson on loan and have several other players now on the radar screen, we wonder who is identifying these players – Kinnear, Shearer or Hughton.
Take your pick.
Certainly Danny Simpson was thought to be on Alan’s original list of wanted players.
Comments welcome.
119 comments so far
Eaststander
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Comment #1If the stories are true about Ashley giving Moat a bit time then I think that it will happen lads. Shearer will be manager and the club wil be in Geordie hands completely. On the down side we have no transfer time to mount a serious push for promotion by the time Moat sorts out funds. If whats left of the squad can manage to keep us in the top half Shearer might be able to organise it to hit the playoffs by the end of next season.
spiderpig
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Comment #2he’ll have to improve his track record then eastander
Rangerman
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Comment #3People who can’t afford to buy football clubs shouldn’t buy football clubs.
This is going to be a disaster.
toonarmymags
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Comment #4If moat needs to borrow money to buy the club how can he put money in for players ect
Eaststander
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Comment #5Alan Shearer will take this club to where it needs to be. I am absolutly going to back him 100% this man knows football and he knows this club. I wanted him to have his own squad that he wanted at the club so if he does come in now he will have to do his best with crap players. This is not the time he should be coming in I have said this before but if he wants it then let him have it simple as that.
Cooper
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Comment #6Id rather have Moat with little investment than Mike Ashely. Every day of the week.
Sooner he’s gone the better and i hope he runs off crying tomorrow after the deserved abuse he gets from us.
Cooper
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Comment #7In Shearer we trust.
The Original Todd
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Comment #8Is there a link to this story?
sirjasontoon
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Comment #9Agree with Rangerman….Moat is a terrible move if this happens….he clearly has not got enough cash to afford the club or finance the major rebuilding of NUFC.
sirjasontoon
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Comment #10Would rather have Steve Coppell any day of the week over Shearer and he has proven that he can get a club out of the championship with minimal investment and play reasonably good football.
sirjasontoon
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Comment #11One more point..these heartfelt appointments like Keegan,Shearer do not work…we need a coach that knows football at championship level.
Eaststander
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Comment #12I sometimes think people come on here with the management argument forgeting we have very few quality players that want to play for this football club. Alex Ferguson couldn’t this squad back in the premier leauge he isn’t magic. Its Ashleys fault we have what we have and thats why I want him out. Ashley will not let his manager buy the players he wants at the club so who cares which manager he puts in charge if he keeps it. Tactics, what tactics we all know our strongest team we are not thick.
Rangerman
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Comment #13sirjasontoon – Moat has to appoint Shearer as it’s his way of appeasing the fans, hoping that it will take the attention from the financial sh1t he’s going to put us in to line his own pockets with a football club at the end of it.
AussieToon
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Comment #14Moat alone doesn’t but he has the American backers do not forget?
Also would Shearer approve something like a Moat takeover if he thought it wouldn’t be a good thing for the football club? I think not.
Any day of the week I would prefer Moat over Ashley, at least we have someone who cares about the club and will look after it, also with the takeover this club will be short of debt, which for a Football Club of our size is remarkable (through circumstance this was the only good thing Mike Ashley did). I think Moat will have a lot to build on and he is a smarty man with good intentions.
I can only see this as a positive over Mike Ashley. Along with Shearer coming in as Manager imagine the mood of the place…oh we will get some communication at last!
Rangerman
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Comment #15Eaststander – Where is the money going to come from to buy new players if Moat takes over?
murvar
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Comment #16I don’t understand how this guy Ashley got to be so rich. There has been nothing, absolutely nothing, in his behaviour or performance at Newcastle which indicates “successful businessman”. No due diligence on a £134m deal; recruiting then forcing Keegan out; replacing Mort; appointing Wise; appointing a clapped out forgotten manager in Kinnear; leaving Hughton for too long out of his depth; hiring Shearer through gritted teeth when it was too late; failing to hold on to him; failing to price the club for a sale in time to enable pre-season planning. His success in his other business – which is now also going down the chute – must have been a complete fluke.
I don’t know if anyone else on here sw the play “You couldn’t make it up” at the Live Theatre on the Quayside recently, but if you did, the scene where Ashley was humiliated by Shearer was the most powerful. It certainly wasn’t fiction – someone had clearly reported the encounter – and it may explain why Ashley hates the thought of Al in charge and will go to any lengths to avoid appointing him.
In retrospect, this whole shambles would have been avoided if Ashley had not sacked Big Sam; we may not have been enjoying the football but for sure we would still be in the Premier League.
Fans Should Own The Club
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Comment #17I’ve been saying Coppel would be great since he left Reading, but I don’t know if he could handle the pressure and public aspect of NUFC. Good manager, but he seems a little… delicate?
Finance situation is so scary…
If Shearer were manager, would we sell out every home game?
Could he make a pitch for fans to purchase shares at a reasonable price?
Scary times…
sahota
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Comment #18I am not sure whats wrong and whats right. After torture for many months in fact over a year, I would say YES to anyone other than Mike. I still think we can easily make playoffs if squad is as it is now by adding few loan signings. Assuming we get a good manager. I won’t mind Shearer or Coppell. I think we now need to stabilize things otherwise last season might repeat. I can see if JOE comes in then it might be exact repeat of last season. He will get us few wins and many draws. GOD bless us.
Rangerman
Aug 14, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Comment #19Moat alone doesn’t but he has the American backers do not forget?
….
Apparently not.
Moat is going to put us in debt to buy the club for him, so any money people put in this club will go to paying it off and making him richer.
stuart no9
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Comment #20dont get your hopes up about the moat takeover bid it sounds too good to be true a local man taking over club and making A S manager talk about roy of the rovers dont forget this is ash your talking about what happened to all the other offers for the club was it every one elses fault that it fell through lets put this in simple terms HE WONT SELL
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Comment #21Coppell bottled it from Man City because he couldn’t take the pressure, probably kill the poor bloke off here.
danuneek
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Comment #22I agree to a certain degree thats its a bit risky letting someone who can’t really afford the club buy it. But then again its not as risky as Ashley staying. The Glazers couldn’t and still can’t afford Manu, but its ran like the successful business it is and thats what Moat should aim for. If we did get promoted with Moat, then there would be surely more interest in investment etc.. This is the only way forward, if Ashley stays and appoints Kinnear prepare for a life time in the Championship.
Eaststander
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Comment #23Moat will find it he has the same blood that runs in our veins. He will get investers back in after the americans pulled out. I don’t think that we will be Man city but if the right manager (Shearer) asks for the right players at a stretch he will get them here. Its about time we spent money very wisely on players that want to play for this club and Shearer will weed out the leechs from the proper footballers. Its going to be slow I am not doubting that when we get back in the premier leauge. If we ever did get back in the champions leauge with a Geordie owner and Shearer as manger would it not be worth the wait. Ashley has undone us, lets face it its going to take time there is no quick route back to 4th place in the premier leauge.
coxonfamily
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Comment #24maybe blessing in disguise only having a couple of weeks left at most… hopefully the team will be doing ok come january and we wont need as many players as we hoped… thats they positive spin im trying to put on it anyway… its better than keeping ashley anyday!
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Comment #25I agree to a certain degree thats its a bit risky letting someone who can’t really afford the club buy it. But then again its not as risky as Ashley staying. The Glazers couldn’t and still can’t afford Manu, but its ran like the successful business it is and thats what Moat should aim for. If we did get promoted with Moat, then there would be surely more interest in investment etc.. This is the only way forward, if Ashley stays and appoints Kinnear prepare for a life time in the Championship.
……
You can’t compare our situation to Man Utd, they are one of the biggest clubs in the World and pull in massive profits every year which buy players and pay the Glaziers debt, we were making massive losses in the Premiership when we didn’t even have to pay any money towards the debt Ashley covered.
Cooper
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Comment #26Coppell wouldnt come to Newcastle, our reputation has been disgraced, it will be a very long time until we can attract the quailty that we could under the likes of Sir bobby.
bill
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Comment #27Sirjason:
Appointments like KK don’t work; have you been asleep for 15 years.
KK has the best record for any manager at Newcastle back as far as you could care to look.
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Comment #28Moat will find it he has the same blood that runs in our veins. He will get investers back in after the americans pulled out. I don’t think that we will be Man city but if the right manager (Shearer) asks for the right players at a stretch he will get them here. Its about time we spent money very wisely on players that want to play for this club and Shearer will weed out the leechs from the proper footballers. Its going to be slow I am not doubting that when we get back in the premier leauge. If we ever did get back in the champions leauge with a Geordie owner and Shearer as manger would it not be worth the wait. Ashley has undone us, lets face it its going to take time there is no quick route back to 4th place in the premier leauge.
……..
Get the players here with what?
HE HAS NO MONEY!!!
I’d put money on the American investment was from an investment group (hedge fund) which would loan him the money to buy the club that he had to pay back, they pulled out so he’s gone cap in hand to Barclays.
Too many people thinking with their heart rather than their head and that just because Moat is a geordie he will have the ability to pull money out of his arse.
Eaststander
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Comment #29Rangerman unfortunatly what you are looking for isn’t there mate. We have to get rid of Ashley all agreed? hands up everyone. If Moat is that avenue then it has to be done cause we are falling faster and faster and there isn’t a billionaire safety net any where in sight.
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Comment #30What could Moat offer us that Ashley couldn’t?
I’d rather Ashley stayed and tried to get us back in the Premiership so we have more chance of a wealthier owner coming in for us rather than Moat who expects me to buy rubbish from the club shop to buy the club for him.
People who would accept anyone as long as it’s not Ashley could be in for a rude awakening.
Cooper
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Comment #31Whats better:
– Tw@t of a owner with no investment
– Committed owner with no investment
I agree we need Ashely out at all costs before he takes the club down even further. Moat has my vote.
bill
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Comment #32Considering ManU’s debt stands at £700M and ours was about £150M, it doesn’t need much working out that they need about five times our income to keep things on an even keel.
ManU’s income is no where near 5 times ours; its about 3 times as much. Then take into account their huge squad, mostly on huge wages, it doesn’t look so rosy to me.
bozo
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Comment #33Rangerman how much does Ashley pay you to come on here and talk such drivel?
bozo
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Comment #34Rangerman how do you know so much about the clubs finances and Moats bid?
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Comment #35Considering ManU’s debt stands at £700M and ours was about £150M, it doesn’t need much working out that they need about five times our income to keep things on an even keel.
ManU’s income is no where near 5 times ours; its about 3 times as much. Then take into account their huge squad, mostly on huge wages, it doesn’t look so rosy to me.
…..
Why would they need 5 times our income?
bill
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Comment #36Rangerman:
Do you really want MA to stay?
Consider all of the actions he has taken and the total disregard he has for the fans.
Personally, I would rather have someone with less money who would communicate with the fans, tell us his vision for the club, give us the information required so that we can all monitor our progress. Above all else, get the fans involved in the club and make it a real club of the fans for the fans.
Ashley cannot do this.
Rangerman
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Comment #37Rangerman how do you know so much about the clubs finances and Moats bid?
….
I’m an accountant and study our finances whenever our accounts are released.
Moats bid and his need to go to the banks to borrow money to buy us has been well documented in the mornings papers, mainly by George Caulkin who used to write for the Journal and is clued up about goings on at the club.
If anyone wants to tell me how having an owner with £0 for investment in players and has to borrow money to buy the club in the first place is a good thing then I’m all for being talked around, seems to me that we will end up like the mackems under Bob Murrey with a sh1t team and no money to invest to improve it.
bozo
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Comment #38By the way for the record the debt when Ashley took over was nearer 90 million than 150million that figure was available to the public unlike the books now.
bozo
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Comment #39For an accountant you dont seem to understand finances very well go look at the books again.
Eaststander
Aug 15, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Comment #40Ashley staying will ruin this club simple as that. At what point have we went in the right direction since he took over. His ideal manager is Joe Kinnear for Gods sake. If Barry Moat can pay Shearers and players wages and can put the Transfer income back into the club then we will be on the way up again.