The Shields Gazette have reported on an interview that Sam Allardyce gave on Talk Sport.
Sam was the manager of Newcastle United when Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007. Allardyce was not Ashley’s preferred choice and after a poor run through Christmas was let go in early January 2008.
Allardyce will know all about what’s its like at Newcastle even though his tenure was short as he is also a former Sunderland manager.
This is what Big Sam had to say on Talk Sport:
“I think we all know the pitfalls of the Newcastle job but you don’t turn it down if it’s offered, if you have any ambition.
“I left Bolton to go to the next level. There has been a lack of real success for many, many years.
“The fans have turned to be more patient – they realise what the club has become.
“It was all about winning a cup competition or Europe when I was there.”
This is a very interesting series of comments by Allardyce. The “if you have any ambition” part sticks out sorely when talking about taking the Newcastle job. The owner has no ambition so why would any ambitious manager take it.
It is a job at a big club and will realistically will only be taken by a manager who could not get a job at any other top club.
He also mentions how the fans have turned more patient as they have come to learn “what the club has become.” Yet while he was here, he boasts it was all talk about winning something.
Well Sam, why do you think that is? It is because Mike Ashley has turned the club of Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson into a middling advertisement for Sports Direct.
Sam does go on and actually give Rafa a compliment which is somewhat surprising as the two had a contentious relationship:
“Rafa did a fantastic job keeping in the PL.
“The hard thing for Mike Ashley is getting someone in to manage the club, what can a new manager achieve to take the club forward? That will difficult.”
Sam is spot on here that it is going to be difficult to replace Rafa Benitez. In fact, for Mike Ashley it will be impossible. For as long as he is the owner, any new manager will looked upon with suspicious eyes.
Sam finally says what every person is thinking when asked if he would consider taking the position:
“I don’t think so. In my time, I was between Freddy Shepherd and Mike taking it. Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan have gone back and not done as well as expected. It’s all hypothetical – I won’t be offered it.”
216 comments so far
Binney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:25 PM
Comment #1Times running out…
ilovetoon8788
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:25 PM
Comment #2John carver or nigel Pearson perhaps? Perfect Ashley stooges.
Ron Knee
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:29 PM
Comment #3Liz Luff@LizLongstonePR (SBR Foundation)
For me, there’s always been an air of unreality about Rafa at Newcastle. I couldn’t quite believe he came to begin with and definitely didn’t believe he’d stay after relegation. Had to pinch myself sometimes seeing him in the dugout. His leaving does feel horribly real though.
Captain AmeriMag
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:32 PM
Comment #4BZG will save us from this depressing madness, hopefully very soon before we all go insane
hibbit
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:33 PM
Comment #5if Ashley has done the dirt on the Bin Zayed Group and caused them to lose face, that will now make 3 very powerful enemies he’s made in the UAE
Binney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:33 PM
Comment #6https://twitter.com/shareefAminpour/status/1143462395525943296?s=09
Probably BS.
RobLeenio
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:34 PM
Comment #7Lol Ron, that tweet is brilliant. This is someone who works with Charnley on a routine basis, getting close to slagging him off. In public.
Love it.
Chancel My MBembaship
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:35 PM
Comment #8AmeriMag – even though I don’t share your blind optimism, keep believing for the rest of us. Fingers crossed I hope you’re right and this turns out to be a dream instead of a nightmare.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:36 PM
Comment #9I am about 50/50 on whether a takeover will happen. Mostly because of Ashley as I think BZG have the money, ambition and intent.
But if Ashley remains, who would be Manager. In an ideal world it would be Laurent Blanc. Ashley will probably lumber us with some retread, but who?
RobLeenio
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:37 PM
Comment #10People were asking about cancelling their Direct Debit. Martoon I think?
There’s some advice on this thread
https://twitter.com/Solanosfreekick/status/1143471082545876992
Ron Knee
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Comment #11Rob
She’s right about the unreality – after we’d had to endure some many duffers.
Mag52
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:40 PM
Comment #12AO.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:41 PM
Comment #13With a forward thinking owner you would like to think that Gerrard or Arteta would get some consideration, or an up-and-coming Portuguese. But this is Ashley and we really do have to consider the possibility that this is all a game to him and he is not serious about a sale.
So, Ashley’s short list? Redfearn, Sherwood, Moyes, Fat Sam.
Whatever Allardyce is saying he would jump at the chance to Manage NUFC again.
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:41 PM
Comment #14Tony, Nothing wrong with the civil questioning of posters, or indeed choosing to not believe the info, but it’s the malevolent tone of the ‘questioning’ which sometimes borders on an attack, that I don’t like, as it puts off posters from bringing forward information they hear. Not accusing you btw.
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:41 PM
Comment #15No wicket in that last post, must be losing my touch.
crawfordm
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:44 PM
Comment #16Repost.
Had correspondence with SKY Sports asking their views on how Mike Ashley is using their money. Its obvious hundreds of millions of SKY money are not being re-invested into NUFC or into football.
If SKY refuse to broadcast NUFC games do they have to give Ashley the tv money ?
They could have a bigger impact in forcing the cancer out of the club than the general supporter. If he does not receive his hundreds of millions of tv money – he will leave.
Awaiting SKY response with intetest.
RobLeenio
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Comment #17Binney, I love that tweet. I guess in order to fake it, someone would have to have a phone number not already associated with them, set up a snapchat account with that number under the name Midhat Kidwai and then have a conversation with themselves.
Bit elaborate as a hoax? I’m not sure.
lesh
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Comment #18Tony Baloney
You just don’t get it do you. The so called ‘misguided blog etiquette’ as you call it was here long before you. Show some respect and try to stop acting like Trump.
crawfordm
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Comment #19interest.
IrishMagpie
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Comment #20If Ashley stays I’d gladly take Ranieri or Moyes as manager. Anyone turning their nose up at either of those needs a serious reality check and to take a good look at where the club is.
Rafa was a one off, managers of that quality will not line up to take the job under the current regime.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Comment #21Lesh: I have said before I have no interest in talking to you so please do not address me again.
Mag52
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Comment #22Allardyce says that any manager with ambition would be tempted to take the Newcastle job.
I’ve a feeling that he’s right.
It’s a bit like the woman who marries the guy with a record of philandering as long as your arm.
She believes she is special enough to reform him and that, with her, his philandering days are over.
There’ll be managers out there who, in spite of our history under Ashley over the last twelve years, will still think they can become a hero in the North East by winning something.
Mag :P
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Comment #23Any posts from lesh that don’t include a political reference?
lesh
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Comment #24Unlike our friend who’s had a tweeted reply from Midhat, I emailed BZG (via its website home page) fao Midhat and asked whether they were still actively working on the reported takeover.
No surprise at no reply, not even an ackno. At least I didn’t get a ‘no comnent’
newcs
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:50 PM
Comment #25I just want him to come back…. It’s like losing a family member …. Not a manager
GermanGeordie
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:51 PM
Comment #26My take on all of this is that the BZG group have come out and laid there reputation on the line…. i cant see for the life of me why they would comment if it wasn’t happening, also add to that the “No Comment” from NUFC then it would appear things are moving forward albeit slowly, it would also suggest that either BZG want Rafa on their terms not the FCB or they have someone else in mind all together…. regardless its an uncomfortable time for us fans made even worse when i see names like Garry Monk and Ranieri linked with us.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Comment #27Irish Magpie: I really believe Moyes would be top of Ashley’s list. He is a decent coach and partially redeemed himself at West Ham. Nobody could have saved that Mackem team who were ridden with mercenaries and crap players. Under Ashley, Moyes is a good fit. He is a scrapper and will need to be and is chastened by his time at Man U and will not be overly ambitious now. He would probably accept he head coach role as well.
hibbit
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Comment #28question for the blog
if Rafa has signed a NDA which seems very likely will he have signed it with Ashley or the club????
if it is with the club could a new owner rip it up and let Rafa spill the beans ????
Posh_Geordie
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Comment #29I’m waiting until Rafas contract runs out and he talks to the media before getting hysterical.
GermanGeordie
Jun 25, 2019 at 1:58 PM
Comment #30@Hibbit, i would assume the NDA would end when he leaves the company in this case NUFC, although it could have a confidentiality clause inserted inside which would prevent him discussing it.
G
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #31I wouldn’t personally like Moyes at the Toon, however, Tony is quite right with his assessment of him.
Muz
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:06 PM
Comment #32@GermanGeordie – NDA’s live past the contract of employment. I’ve signed many, don’t work for the companies any more but still very much bound by the agreement to not talk about anything in the business. If he’s signed anything that’s an NDA he’s bound forever!
Pain in the Blog
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Comment #33count from last thread,
I certainly am getting a bit confused. Was the big Frenchman in Top Gear?
hibbit
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #34Muz
who would the duty of silence be with the club or Ashley, if the club is sold , could the owners of the (if we get one) rescind it
hibbit
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #35*could the new owners of the club (if we get one) rescind it*
RobLeenio
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Comment #36lesh, honestly, I think you’re the only person who has taken exception to Tony Baloney.
You’re reminding me of a dog my friends own. He’s nice as pie, really friendly, then every now and then he just takes exception to a specific random stranger and won’t stop barking at them.
Tinman
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Comment #37Hibbit, Rafas NDA will be linked to him personally.
Tinman
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:25 PM
Comment #38It depends on the terms of the NDA. He will be allowed to talk after the deal goes through.
Tinman
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:26 PM
Comment #39I work with NDAs on a regular basis, albeit in construction, but can’t see why it would be any different.
RobLeenio
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:26 PM
Comment #40hibbit, when it comes to Rafa’s own employment, any NDA is irrelevant. What is relevant is any kind of gagging clause Ashley’s lawyers will have put in his employment contract.
The contract will be with NUFC, not with Ashley or MASH Holdings. A new NUFC owner may release Rafa from being bound by that clause if he asks them, or if not they may well choose to ignore it even if Rafa breaches the terms. After all, any move to enforce it would annoy not just Rafa but us.
The same would be true for any and every gagging clause in place for any past club employee. As such, we may get some very interesting snippets from the likes of Beardsley, Shearer, Hughton, Keegan etc over the next few months.