Chris Hughton was at Newcastle for about three years after joining Kevin Keegan in February, 2008.
In his final 18 months on Tyneside he took over the side in the summer of 2009 after we had just been relegated and then brilliantly managed the side to promotion and the Championship title with 102 points and 30 wins in the next season.
Chris was a hero to the fans and certainly to players such as goalkeeper Steve Harper , Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan among others, who heaped praise on the way he brought all the players together when the club under Mike Ashley seemed to be in complete disarray in that terrible summer of 2009.
Chris Hughton with Championship trophy in May, 2010
After getting Newcastle promoted and having us mid-table, having humiliated Sunderland 5-1 at home and beating Arsenal at the Emirates 1-0 (the only time we have ever won there) – he was shockingly fired by Managing Director Derek Llambias in December of 2010 and all hell broke loose on Tyneside – and rightly so.
Before last night’s game against his old club Chris was interviewed in The Argus and he had this to say about his time at Newcastle United:
“I was there for just under three years, not all the time as manager.” “I enjoyed living in the area. It was very much transitional times at the club.”
“It was a very good period for me and certainly one I will never forget.” “In any player or manager’s career you look back on big moments and that was a very big moment for myself.”
“It was my first managerial role, so it was very special for me, but more importantly it was very special for the club.”
“It has certainly helped shape my career, there’s no doubt about that.” “It’s very nice to hear those quotes from ex-players, but they were also very valuable for me.”
“It was an incredibly good group that I had and, whatever I was able to give them, they were able to give me more.”
“Certainly, if I look at my managerial career, it’s the role that gave me that opportunity.”
“I feel that I’ve developed as a manager over that period of time and going through what we went through in that season and the season after, certainly gives you a grasp of what management is about, the ups and downs.”
“I’d like to think I’m a better manager for it.”
Chris always reminded us of Sir Bobby Robson, because he is a really good man, a good coach and a real gentleman of the game – just like Bobby.
It would be great if both Newcastle and Brighton can get the two automatic promotion spots this season – but nothing is ever certain in football.
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Comment #41*first (first half performance)
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #42Bobby
I said game plan to go from 1-0 down, meaning after finding us 1-0 down, he makes changes late to get two goals back within time remaining. Truly exceptional management. We’re all silly for wanting subs earlier. Of course, we see now we could easily win it in the fag end.
lochinvar
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #43EssexGeordieBill
I actually didn’t shout that much last night after the first 15 minutes as I was concentrating on my Guiness + Clarkes Bourbon whisky fueled Matrix like meditation control of the match. I have to say I was quite pleased with my efforts. ?
I must try your meds. I usually just stick to a whisky mac – with Kitty’s Ginger Wine from Blyth !
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #44You say I’m being a dick because I disagree with you. I simply disagreed with your rather patronising statement:
“I think a lot of people don’t appreciate how important timing is when making substitutions.”
Followed by your suggestion that Rafa got it spot on. IMO he left it far too late and got very lucky to get two goals in such a short time. A reasonable opinion I’d suggest, even if you disagree with it.
magpie6699
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #45If we can get 6 wins and 3 draws from the last 9 games when (apparently according to people on this blog) we always play badly and Rafa does the wrong things, what results might we get if we actually played well?
magpie6699
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Comment #46PS I’m referring to Championship games only
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Comment #47Lucky, never.
It was a well executed training ground move.
Diame said he didn’t mean it but he’s saying that to confuse future opponents.
By the way that double decker bus parked on the moon has now racked up over a billion lunar pounds in parking fines.
Bobbybee
Mar 1, 2017 at 2:57 PM
Comment #48Most of the games we’ve lost or drawn has been down to individual errors by players. Like against Bristol City. You leave a man unmarked and chances are he’ll score. Head the ball past your keeper and into the path of a player and you gift a goal. Please, oh wise guru, explain how that was Rafa’s fault? No manager, regardless of who it is, can do anything about players making huge errors. That’s just life. You really seem to have it in for Rafa, which after years of watching inadequate managers I find unbelievable. Of course he’s not above criticism, but don’t take that out on me you plonka, I haven’t said he isn’t. Like any manager he gets it wrong on occasion but overall, our current position speaks volumes about his ability. Maybe you’d rather we went back to McClaren so your negativity and default mode of whinging git could be justified? Right now, we’ve got nothing to complain about. Of course it could go ties up and then we’ll all want to know why, but right now? Seriously? Top of the table and bordering on being nailed on for promotion and you still want to bleat?
Anyway, I can only take so much boring negativity when we should be bouncing so I’ll find something better to do. I’m sure I can find some pins to stick in my eyes if I look. Far better things to do than listen to people crying about the best manager we’ve probably ever had and only being top of the table when clearly people think we should be higher. I’m Buzzing about last night and the way we won it at the death – thanks to brilliant tactical changes – and nobody is going to ruin that. 🙂 No idea what some people want from the manager, players and club, but I’m well happy with the situation. Maybe come back on when the cry babies stop bleating. Maybe not. WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Not good enough for some obviously, but good enough for me.
Bobbybee
Mar 1, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #49Clearly he didn’t leave it too late, because WE WON!!!! If he’d lost I couldn’t say he got it spot on, could I? He got it right and the fact that we won proves that. So great, Rafa’s crap because he doesn’t agree with B&B. I didn’t call you a dick because you disagree with me, I called you one because you’re are, right now, behaving like one. Not saying you always do, just now. You sound very bitter and anti Rafa, and frankly, there’s no call for it. Anybody who thinks Rafa isn’t good enough for NUFC I think is a dick, so it’s nothing personal. Just a response to your bleating. No doubt we’ll agree on other things again sometime when you stop being silly. Bye.
Sgt. Hag
Mar 2, 2017 at 4:26 AM
Comment #50Hughton was and is Pure Class! Can’t say I loved his tactics all the time but he didn’t deserve to be sacked and will always be a hero to me and Newcastle United! He got us promoted at the 1st time of asking with a club in shambles at the top. He rallied the Toon army and got us back up and then put the Scum to the sword what a brilliant day that was! Just a great person on and off the pitch! Nothing but respect and admiration for Hughton!