Sensational news reported late last night that Mike Ashley has had a falling out with Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, who is said to have already left the Tyneside club.
Chris Hughton – not really surprised at his sacking
This is almost unbelievable as Chris has almost succeeded in seeing Newcastle back into the Premier League at his first attempt, but there has been a huge reported blow-up between manager and owner.
We understand that over the last few weeks there has been tension between the two men, and inside sources have revealed it’s due to some average performances recently put in by the side.
There is also some talk that the reason Chris has been fired is so that Newcastle are free to go after Jose Mourinho this summer,
It seems that Jose is determined to leave Inter-Milan and initial contact made by the club suggests he would jump at the chance to join Newcastle United, the home town club of his former mentor, the great Bobby Robson.
While Newcastle seem to have been doing well in the league, it seems that it wasn’t good enough for Mike Ashley and particularly for Managing Director Derek Llambias.
Derek explained the sacking late last night:
“This has been brewing for some time.””While we have been generally pleased with what Chris and the team have done this season, we have been rather disappointed at the recent dropping of points at both Middlesbrough and Bristol City.”
“We also believe that Newcastle should have scored more goals than just two on Monday night, so Mike decided now was the right time to make the change.”
“We are already looking at a replacement and have a short list of three with Jose Morinho our preferred choice, but Sven Eriksson and Fabio Capello – if he leaves the England job after the World Cup – are also in with a chance.”
“Rafael Benittez called last night when he heard the news, but we had to tell him his record at Liverpool wouldn’t cut the mustard at Newcastle and we would not consider him for the Newcastle position.”
“It was really tough to watch a grown man cry so so much, but what more can i say?”
When contacted late last night at his home in Newcastle, Chris Hughton was magnanimous about his rather sudden and dramatic dismissal, and issued the following statement through the LMA (League Managers Association):
“This may be a surprise to Newcastle supporters, but I saw it coming over the last two or three weeks. Those two away draws were just not good and I knew it at the time.”
“And Monday night was basically it, because I knew Mike would be disappointed at only a two goal win against a side we really should have torn apart.”
“But I accept the decision and will be saying farewell to the players tomorrow morning at the Benton training grounds.:
“Yes, I hope to back into management again, maybe with a Conference club – if they’ll have me.”
We expected that from Chris, who has always been a gentleman while managing Newcastle on a permanent basis since last October, and to think we thought he had done quite well this season.
It’s so hard to explain this rather surprising news, other than to say that Alan Shearer was appointed manager on this same day last year – April 1st.
57 comments so far
deadlyBuzz
Apr 1, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Comment #41After Last April first, I wouldn’t put it past the club. It was a few years ago Liverpool tried another april fools day trick. They had said Robbie fowler had backflipped into Ian rush in Training and both were out of the next FA Cup match. They were pictured in the paper in crutches and casts and on the next page there was the “April Fool” revelation.
They were well beaten in that match which is why I don’t tempt fate with these april fools pranks.
Geordie-Gerrard7
Apr 1, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Comment #42Sane as last year when they said shearer was going to be our manager………….. Hold on that was true!!
Geordie-Gerrard7
Apr 1, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Comment #43Just think we nearly once signed xavi, he completed 95 passes last night, and fabregas took that penalty with a broken leg, he is my fav player outside the toon. Jesus Christ that Charlotte Jackson on ssn is gorgeous.
GeordieBean
Apr 1, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Comment #44ROFL,when i read the article thought it was true nearly fainted lmao but thankfully its a April fools joke 😛
i Toon
Apr 1, 2010 at 9:32 AM
Comment #45😀 good one Ed had me for a min. April fool 🙂
Doctapaul
Apr 1, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Comment #46Really not funny at all – remove this. april fool’s are supposed to be uplifting huh?
AngerOfTheNorth
Apr 1, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Comment #47Doctapaul, what a misery guts!
Well done Ed, I knew it was April Fool’s but still fell for it for a second…
Archie Mag
Apr 1, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Comment #48Damn, and I was looking forward to Mourinho at St. James’ 😛
mikeygd
Apr 1, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Comment #49Only because i wouldn’t put anything past Ashley and i hadn’t read the article, just saw the damn headline!
yankazaz
Apr 1, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Comment #50U killing me mr.Ed ^^
Charlietoon
Apr 1, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Comment #51On a side note if we release Pancrate and Butt and sell Xisco and Best and loan out Ranger we have room for a couple of good players. We need cover at left back and right back. We need a another winger down the left. Ryan Taylor is not great but we could do worse than keep him for cover on the right. A speedy striker to do what Best was supposed to. I’d also like to see a new playmaker in there.
Harper/Krul/Forster
Simps/? Tayl/Will Coll/Kdar Bull/Van ( I wish)
Wyne/rtayl Smith/Bart Guth/Nolan Gutt/?
Ameobi/Carroll Loven/?
DJG
Apr 1, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Comment #52April fools ha. Fooled me for about 0.5 seconds.
MagpiesUp
Apr 1, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Comment #53Not sure where to post this but I’m trying to put together the best ever Newcastle XI made up of only those that were born in Newcastle?
Any thoughts on what the team would look like.
Cheers
Thump
Apr 1, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Comment #54lol at some of you whining on about how “this isn’t funny” – do one, will you? It’s a bit of light hearted banter, get a sense of humour or don’t read it.
Spuggy
Apr 1, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Comment #55ROFL!!!!! Ed, thats a classic you had me for a moment. I love how you’ve huffed a few ‘fans’ who obviously lack a sense of humour. Prob the same ones who slag your articles off – Keep up the good work Ed – trust me – there’s loads of people who love your articles and afterall your entitled to an opinion like everyone else.
Amazing how many people mis-read your articles too when your merely reporting news, lol. I hope you got them all back with this article. Some of them are so rude when you do the best blog around and I appreciate how much effort it must be.
All the best Ed!
An Avid NUFCBLOG reader!!
Tom4Nufc
Apr 1, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Comment #56Amen Spuggy! I 100% agree 😉
BeeGuy
Apr 1, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Comment #57I knew it was a phony cause Morhino would only come to Newcastle as an asssstant to CH. The Inter coach still has too much to learn to be put in charge of even a Championship team.