Chris Hughton was apparently still in deep discussions with the Newcastle United board today, as the club looks to bring in a replacement for Colin Calderwood, who is now manager of Hibernian.
Steve Clarke – while at Chelsea – could he be coming back to Newcastle?
There was news today that former Newcastle coach Steve Clarke could be the current favorite for the job, since he has already coached at Newcastle from 1998 until 1999, and knows the club very well. Steve is currently out of a job after he left West Ham after manager Gianfranco Zola was sacked earlier this year.
Steve gained valuable experience at Chelsea under world-class manager Jose Mourinho, Bobby Robson’s former assistant while he was manager at Barcelona, and Steve is well recognized as an excellent coach.
The other person in the running is John Carver, but he’s at Sheffield United as the Assistant Manager to former Newcastle star Gary Speed, and it could prove difficult to pry him away from that job.
Hughton told the Evening Chronicle today about the search for a new assistant:
“You probably do not want to put a time on it, as you do not know what will happen, but my intention is for it to happen sooner rather than later.” “I am very keen to bring someone in as soon as I can.”
“It will be my appointment who comes in and it is one I don’t want to take too long over in making my mind up.” “What I need to do is go through the possibilities. I have my own ideas and it is one we do not want to drag on too long.”
Hughton has Paul Barron helping the team prepare for the game at West Ham on Saturday and Paul has been a stalwart at the club since Chris took over 15 months ago.
Chris had only good words to say about Paul today:
“Paul is much more than just a goalkeeping coach” “He has plenty of other important qualities and is highly respected within the camp.” “I have Paul with me, and Peter Beardsley and his assistant Steve Stone.”
Certainly we think Steve Clarke would simply jump at the chance to join Chris Hughton at Newcastle, and he must tick all the boxes for a coach Chris Hughton would be interested in.
Steve would be an excellent addition to the coaching staff on Tyneside, but we have no idea what the chemistry is like between Chris and Steve, which of course will be vital.
But in short, we’d be very happy to see either John or Steve get the assistant manager role at the Newcastle club, and then we can push on to bigger and better things.
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
NUFC_Richyg01
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Comment #1Welcome back Steve! (hopefully)
Ciaran Thomas
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Comment #2Snap him up,Hes got a attacking mind Due to Zola !
Lets hope he gets it !
Solaidback
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Comment #3Why do we keep having to replace people, what is wrong with our club that people want to leave all the time??? 🙁
It seems that when we get settled with coaching staff, something happens & someone always wants to leave, are we not paying them enough or summit???
Ciaran Thomas
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Comment #4I agree,Laid. What is going behind the scenes ?
bigandysmagichead
Oct 21, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Comment #5would love to see steve clarke back at the club. get it sorted
NUFC_Richyg01
Oct 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Comment #6@ Solaidback // Oct 21, 2010 at 1:50 PM
It doesnt matter what club it is, if an opportunity comes up for a number 2 to become a number one then they have to seriously consider it.
Remember Carlos Quiros left Manure No 2. to become a manager.
lloydie780
Oct 21, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Comment #7Guys look at the men who have left us
Calderwood- went from being a manager to coach/assistant manager, it is a stepdown, so naturally if a managers position became available he would look to get back there.
Thompson- He is a first team coach at Celtic (who can be considered a bigger club than us albeit in a crap league) to work with someone who he is close to Lennon (from their playing days) without moving far into a clu he is a hero at. And again it is a step up.
Richard Money- was a manager before he came in as head of youth development etc. . . .he again was someone who stepped down to come to us, so naturally looked to get back to a managers role.
Robbie Elliot- Liverpool were in Champions League and his mentor (cant remember his name) was leaving us to join there staff, was natural for Robbie to go to a bigger club, for more money and to keep developing rather than stagment here, in this case maybe was something went on behind the scenes.
These three for instance had a reason to leave, not through Newcastle being bad, but we were a stepping stone to better things. They were given better opportunities elsewhere which we could not offer in any way or form.
Thump
Oct 21, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Comment #8Spot on lloydie. It’s nowt to do with “backroom tension” or things going on we aren’t seeing – it’s a career. You might be happy to sit flipping burgers at McDonalds but do you think the person flipping burgers next to you is going to say no to taking a pay rise to supervise you flipping burgers? It’s all about careers and that’s all there is to it.
I’d love to have Clarke back, but will he come?
lloydie780
Oct 21, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Comment #9Exactly, reading too far into y claiming there are ‘issues’ behind the scenes. It’s what we all would do, advance our careers.
I think he could come but i don’t think it will be him, i am feeling someone who was connected with Chris at Tottenham, he will need someone very close to him this season to get them through and i maybe wrong but dont think him and Steve are close. Any ideas?
NUFC_Richyg01
Oct 21, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Comment #10@ lloydie780 // Oct 21, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Sol Campbell, Darren Anderton, Teddy Sheringham, David Ginola, Big Les,
Turkish Magpie
Oct 21, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Comment #11Hi guys, does anyone know how much a junior ticket for the Arsenal (H) game is in the carling cup? I know adult tickets are £20 however i’d like to take my nephew aswell
Much appreciated
Shot Bru
Oct 21, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Comment #12Why not give Steve Stone a chance just recently retired from the game…he’s already here and seems to speak a load of sense on 5live when co-commentating.
ksmit
Oct 21, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Comment #13I must say that I would like Steve Clark e to come in just because of his experience. If he can create a good bond with Chris then why not? I think bringing in an inexperienced former player would probably be a bad idea at this time as it does not create stability. I am surprised at the lack of mention of one former player… but I guess he’s looking for a number 1 role… not a number 2
CT
Oct 21, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Comment #14Has to be Steve Clarke. The worrying scenario in all of this is CH says it`s his final say who`s appointed, But CH could be godforbid 3 bad results away from getting pedalled. Hardly gonna cost a fortune in compo based on his salary and his contract up at the end of the season. Any quality guy that comes in makes MA decision to fire Hoots easier, CH must know this. What a hell of a position Chris now could find himself in! If it was me I would hold back to see how things go in the next few weeks!
baro
Oct 21, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Comment #15We have to get Steve Clark or anyother attacking minded coach. Hopefully Steve Clark or whoever comes easily spots out the weaknesses on our team and points it out to Chris Hughton for example James Perch and Wayne Routledge and Mike Williamson’s stupid fouls. I’d take Steve Clark as he has experience under world class coach Jose Mourinho.
Sav
Oct 22, 2010 at 3:33 AM
Comment #16I’d say its highly likely Hoots will bring in someone he knows, if he possibly can. At a club like ours, with the likes of Llambias hanging about in the corridors, Hoots will feel someone he can trust is paramount, maybe even above their coaching ability.
Whether that is someone from Spurs, West Ham or Ireland is anyone’s guess.
lesh
Oct 22, 2010 at 8:20 AM
Comment #17“It will be my appointment who comes in …..” said Chris.
I don’t want to seem pessemistic but those words remind me of Keegan’s utterances about being the one who has the say over player comings and goings!
Ericles
Oct 22, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Comment #18Would like to see Steve Stone and Beardo involved with running the first team and then bring in some others to continue developing the reserves.
chuck
Oct 22, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Comment #19Clarke`s appointment would be an excellent choice , he has a great track record as a coach , as has Hughton.
Both worked under a variety of managers at top sides and have been involved on both a tactical and technical level.
Experience that is invaluable in preparing teams for EPL games.
Remember how embarrassing it was to watch Shearer and Quasimodo in action and the results of their efforts, aaaaagh !
A combination of Hughton and Clarke would IMO benefit the club and while we are at it bring in John Carver, never have enough good scouts or coaches.