Chris Hughton will finally be returning to Newcastle this coming Sunday, when he brings his Norwich City side to St. James’ Park, and it will be the first time he’s been back to Newcastle since he was rather unfairly and suddenly fired in December of 2010, after he had done a magnificent job for our club.
Chris Hughton – Norwich City manager
Chris joined the coaching staff at Newcastle in February of 2008, when Kevin Keegan was manager, and he proved himself to be an excellent coach, but he really excelled when he took over a down and out Newcastle in June of 2009, after we had been relegated – and the rest is history.
Chris led us back to the Premier League in that first season down under, and we got 102 points and 30 wins to easily win the Championship by 9 points from West Bromwich Albion.
And it seems the respect is mutual, as Chris Hughton has talked to the Norwich City official web-site today, in glowing terms about the Newcastle supporters:
“They are a team that will be pushing for Champions League places, so it’s quite a daunting place to go, but we’ve a team that will look forward to that experience. “
“It’s one that on a personal note I am looking forward to, but it’s about our performance. It’s a difficult place to get a result.” “I was there at Newcastle for three years, and the supporters were always excellent towards me.”
“That was during a period of time that wasn’t always good. We were relegated, but did come back again, and the supporters were always brilliant to me.” “There are still a lot of staff and players there from my time, and I shall look forward to going back, but more so if we are able to give a good account of ourselves.”
We notice there he didn’t say anything about the hierarchy at Newcastle, who ended up suddenly firing him, but he will be welcomed back to Newcastle with open arms by the fans, and we’re sure by the Newcastle hierarchy also, because he did such a great job for the club.
Life’s just too short to bear grudges – believe me.
Chris Hughton – while manager of Newcastle United
We have no doubts at all, that Chris will be a big success at Norwich City, which is a great club with fantastic support, and the same goes for Colin Calderwood, who was Chris’s Assistant Manager at Newcastle (and Birmingham City), and is now in the same role at Norwich City, working alongside Chris.
It’s just that Norwich may not get any points on Sunday afternoon at St. James’ Park.
We hope Norwich do not get on any points on Sunday afternoon at St. James’ Park. 😀
It will be great to welcome back Chris Hughton to Newcastle – he’s one of the true gentlemen in football today.
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69 comments so far
Toonboy_84
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Comment #1What a gents.
Toonboy_84
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Comment #2*gent
Nufc-83
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:21 PM
Comment #3His reception is going to be quality
swoopingmagpie
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:22 PM
Comment #4Toon legend, spank us two all Chris for old time sakes.
PortsladeToon
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Comment #5That man just has pure class running through him, couldn’t thank him enough for what he did for Newcastle
Big Pappa Cissé
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Comment #6Hughton is a legend like. Still want us to win 5-0 tomorrow thar 🙂
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Comment #7Yeah, Vuckic, Gosling, Tavs and in his turn Abeid, good young players like these reach a certain age and get a window of opportunity that only stays open for so long. It’s just the way it has to be. We’d be doing well if only one of them becomes a regular in the match day squad.. Even Fergie, good young player but more will be expected of him and if he doesn’t deliver another top youngster will take his place. I’m not sure if all young players fully recognize this.
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 8:47 PM
Comment #8Of course I like and admire Chrissy Hughton, a very capable and honorable football man. He will get the great reception he deserves when he brings his Norwich side to St James’ and it will be a special moment but his sacking is probably the one thing that has guaranteed his place in Newcastle United history. You can easily imagine he went out when his stock was at its greatest.
fungus44
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:01 PM
Comment #9Hughton is a legend and all ways welcome at NUFC
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #10I think he will get the kind of reception he deserves. A fine man and manager. Truly class. A legend in Newcastle for the way he carried himself as our manager and the way he brought us through the hard times in the Championship.
mattyNUFC
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:19 PM
Comment #11some could argue pardew is a better manager
but there’s no denying who’s the better man. Would he have taken us to the heights we all wanted? who knows, but besides SBR, he’ll i’m sure remain one of the top gentleman who’s had the privilege to run our club
Thump
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Comment #12Can’t wait to see the reception on Sunday. I’m sure he’ll be welcomed back with open arms.
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Comment #13I expect Newcastle to play well and beat Norwich and if that happens it shouldn’t go unnoticed that Chris Hughton has played a significant role in the development of the team we send out on Sunday.
G
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Comment #14Has there ever been a time when a visiting manager was given a heroes welcome at SJP? Nearest I can remember is Keegan at Man City or Fulham, but a good few fans were booing him. I expect most of us will be raising the roof on Sunday for CH.
beefman13
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:52 PM
Comment #15Lads, shane ferguson is a terrific player and for me the best young player at the toon.
He has loads of skill, always looks to go forward an chases every ball down
; hope he gets to start more games for us, the europa league looks most likely
AP won’t drop a senior player for a youngin in the premiership ‘ I just hope fergie does not get bypassed.
Him and campbell will not let us down if given a chance.
I thought campbell shud have gotten 20 mins on Thursday
Shola did ok but misses quite a few chances.
I rate fergie more than sammy as sammy is one good ball one bad ball type of player, frustrating like his brother.
I’m looking forward to the games coming up
Hope AP shows we can play attacking football from the start. Ps perch is a good lad but made no move whatsoever to get forward on Thursday night.
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Comment #16Some fine comments on here folks. Nothing much to add except let’s show the media that if you give your all for our club you will be raised on a pedestal ala sir les and bobby lee. Cockneys but our cockneys
G
Sep 21, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Comment #17Surely you mean ‘Cockneys but wor cockneys’ hotdog? Soz mate, the Paul Weller is kicking in now!
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:00 PM
Comment #18Beefman – I’ve heard a few people having a go at Shola for missing those chances. Yes he should have stuck one away but they were all made by himself. The service on thurs was very poor don’t you think?
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:02 PM
Comment #19Im too well to do, to be saying wor 🙂
bills-son
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:04 PM
Comment #20Just watched that documentary on Liverpool. Don’t think I’ve cringed as much since me granny fell of the wash house roof and flashed her bloomers. Brendan Rodgers sounds like Ricky Gervais in The Office, an absolute soundbite tit.
Rodgers could learn some lessons in class and humilty from Hughton and real managerial presence from Pards.
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Comment #21Consistent finishing, I think will quite fairly be remembered as Sholas’ achilles heel, although it MUST be said he has scored a number of genuine crackers and a number of memorable strikes on the biggest occasion. My favourite player.
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Comment #22Jaw- I’ve defended shola for thurs but fav player. Stop drinking now please and go sleep it off 😉
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Comment #23Yeah your on to me, I’ve got a few under my belt and I know favourite player would be a stretch for most, I just think he’s hung in there, developed his game, his physical presence and his character and above all is still slaying Mackems. Love the guy!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Comment #24Evening Gents.
How’s tricks?
kevymartins
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Comment #25Lets face although pards is a good strategies he is also a clown…sleeping with a players wife wile he is married
VanToonMan
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Comment #26Guys in my opinion from watching the games, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Anita is our best right-back option. He is good defensively and has pace to keep up with an opposition winger as well as being able to attack forward himself. He also has good delivery in those attacking positions.
I also think that James Perch’s best position is Central Defensive Midfielder. I know a lot of you will be shocked but I genuinely think that is his best position. He is too small for centre-back and at right back, he is good defensively but does not provide anything attacking forward. But what he is really good at is breaking the play up, winning the ball and giving it simply to another player. If you notice the times he played as a CDM last year and this season against everton in 2nd half…he was solid. Cabaye was able to push further forward at goodison in the 2nd half when he partnered him in the centre. He will obviously not get in over Tiote and maybe even Bigi in the future….but for now I think he is a very decent backup to Tiote when he is injured (which he seems to be a lot of the time).
Any thoughts? (lol cue the criticism!)
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Comment #27Pards, you dog!
I didn’t know that, kinda explains those years on the periphery and his disciplined ambition, he craves redemption, I suppose.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Comment #28On Hughton….Can’t imagine there will be one fan who boos him on Sunday. The guy gave his all whilst with us and it’s been said time and time again, but it’s the most fitting word for the man, a true gentlemen. Not enough of them in football these days, but he truly is.
Many managers would hold a grudge about the way he was fired, but I think he knew he was appreciated for what he had done and for all his hard work, I think most sensible people can see he probably wasn’t the man to take us too much more forward.
Loads of respect for him and I’m sure the toon army will do us proud at the weekend and give the man the applause he deserves.
As for the players though, they need to get the 3 points 😉
On Shola….Mackem slayer is king. Frustrating at times, yes. But he is Newcastle and I love him in his new role as super sub. Gutted he couldn’t put one away on Thursday, but as mentioned above, he created most of his chances, not like there was a constant stream for him.
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Comment #29Oi oi Ibiza – good mate not much happening on here tonight. What score u going for on sun?
Jaw- very true although sir Peter beardsley is in some what a “different league” don’t you think and gets my vote. I phoned night owls as a young lad devastated that he had gone to Liverpool!!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Comment #30Kevy…Say what? I’ve missed something here.
Vantoon. No criticism here. I agree. He can “fill in” when needed at CB and RB, but for me, he’s best suited at CDM (obviously we have better, so he wont be a starter). He puts himself in the way of anything and plays with purpose these days. A real success story at Newcastle. From zero to hero. I appreciate he wouldn’t want in to any other top 6 teams, but he will be a vital player for us this season.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:31 PM
Comment #31Hotdog…Saw you mention me the other day 🙂 Don’t worry, just had limited internet this week, I will be dominating your screens again soon enough, you lucky guys you.
I’m going to go 3-1 for Sunday. What’s your call?
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #32Ibiza- I can’t see them scoring 3-0 for me.
Yeah can’t remember if wed or thurs loads of footy this week 🙂
After seeing vertongen the other night I’m more convinced than ever that we need a centre half with his quality. Fingers crossed for jan sales!
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Comment #33No, let’s not get carried away, he’s not the best player, just my favourite and certainly not my all time favourite. Beardsley would be right up there ofcourse, but for me it would be that wayward genius jinky jimmy smith, truly brilliant on his day and a little bit nasty.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Comment #34Hotdog….I just thought Hoots deserved a goal. We’re being spoilt this week with football (well, amount of games – the quality is questionable). I would love us to have a real cracking game. I can understand Everton and Maritimos being a little clumsy shall we say. We got what we needed. Norwich at home is a chance to show the fans some style and attacking football that we all crave. Plus it would calm things on here for a day or two…or maybe just 5 or 10 minutes…either way it’ll be welcomed.
hotdog
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Comment #35Ibiza- we could win 10-0 and you would still have neggers, such is life
I’ve got to go mate but I’ll leave you with this thought- mark lawrenson has predicted a 2-0 win for us! Time to revise our predictions 0-3 Norwich now haha
jesperfuglsang
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Comment #36Is that you Ibiza? 😀 the real you… lol
…thought we had lost you to some bikini girls from the beach 😀
Brutooon
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:47 PM
Comment #37Chris Hughton is a good COACH but not a good Manager (Yet)
I am one of the fans who are furious when he was sacked and replace by Alan Pardew.
But looking back, Chris Hughton is a ok manager if our aim is to be a mid-table or avoid relegation team but Alan Pardew prove he is the man for the job
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Comment #38Jesper…I had an emotional goodbye today. It’s taken me a few hours to get myself together, but it was for the best. Have to get my priorities straight. You see what I give up for you lads? 🙂
Perhaps I need to spend less time on here. It turns out girls on holiday don’t like Newcastle banter as chat up lines. Who would have thought?
How’s things mate?
P.S. It is the real me. To date, I’ve managed to avoid being cloned. Obviously no one is up to the challenge – Hmmmm….please don’t take that as an invitation anyone. 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Comment #39Hotdog…Damn it Lawro 🙂 Take it easy Señor perro caliente
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 21, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Comment #40Brutoon. Good assessment. I don’t think anyone was thrilled with Pardew, but he’s certainly earned some respect.