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
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:51 PM
Comment #121TOON22 now you’ve moved the goalposts moved when you were 4 dont make me laugh …
Toon Cat
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:52 PM
Comment #122* a sign
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:52 PM
Comment #123TOON22 … works for Sport Direct …
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:52 PM
Comment #124Geordietom
Good by
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Comment #125Someone else can talk to the blithering idiot
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Comment #126be back later to poke the frog …
cole the goal
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #127Toon 22 = SMB
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #128its ” The Felling ”
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #129You think KBA want to chase people like me from the blog ?
cole the goal
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #130Or at least a SB
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Comment #131Hiya Cole
Checked your previous posts
Hiya JIB
It’s always KBAs fault
cole the goal
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #132Hiya ya prick
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #133Who do you think he will pretend to sell us to next time?
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #134Yep
JIB
Return of the Geordi
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Comment #135Hi Guys Haven’t posted for a couple of days, losing Rafa felt a little like a family bereavement. Anyhow, my take is that Rafa wasn’t really in the loop with regards to the take over, pretty much in line with the contempt which Ashley and his inner circle treats everyone. Guillem Balague the guy who wrote Rafa’s biography said as much “I have the impression that for some unfathomable reason there was not real interest in keeping him. Including renewal offers with no real reflection on the work done, delayed answers and false promises” It appear that they didn’t even have the courtesy to tell him directly that they were not renewing his contract but let him find our through the official club (KBA) statement. Sums up the type of people running our club
one fine day
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Comment #136Captain AmeriMag
From previous
Apologies if I was a bit abrupt
Just hadn’t noticed your moniker here until the last few days and assumed you had different intentions .
I am usually glass half full but this has gutted me .
I accept your more glass pouring over .
Let’s hope we both get to see this come off .
lesh
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Comment #137Lochinvar
‘We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives’ could also be translated as there’s no way Ashley’s prepared to budge am inch over transfers and control.
Tsunki
Jun 25, 2019 at 3:59 PM
Comment #138Geordietom for the good of your health either get a room with the frog or go lie down by yourself in a dark room ha ha
Jammy-D
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:01 PM
Comment #139Just catching up, not been on. Gave up. Can anyone tell me what Mund’s info was? I for one am interested. It’s the little things …
Also .. England are screwed. Was there on Friday and we looked disinterested and not half the side we’ve been 🙁
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:01 PM
Comment #140Tsunki nowt wrong with my health mate…are you in the medical profession ?
lesh
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Comment #141Tony Baloney
Can I suggest you look at the stuff you were posting when you first rocked up.
I think I referred to them as trying to cause trouble by scratching at old sores, old arguments.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Comment #142So are the fans finally going to unite over this latest bombshell or will we continue to be at each other’s throats. The latter is partly why the weeble is still fcuking here. Divide and conquer!
one fine day
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Comment #143Well
Not only Rafa nightmare but will be up in the morning to spend my working day with a bunch of Aussie cricket fans .
Joy ..not
Good night lads lasses keep your chins up .we will beat him and take back what’s ours .
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:04 PM
Comment #144anyway be back later to poke the frog … gonna take me meds …
ITUNDERASHELL
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Comment #145I’m off, too many dickheads claiming to be genuinely interested in Newcastle United. Nothing ever changes really does it!!!!
Champagne Charlie
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Comment #146We are all aware that Ashley is a tw@ of the very highest order.
However, it does nothing for our reputation as NUFC suporters to to keep banging on in the media about him being a cockney tw@. (particularly as he’s not a cockney)
Obviously due to recent events there has been a lot of discussion on social media and Talksport etc. and it’s quite embarrassing to hear comments such as I heard yesterday that ‘stupid southerners’ don’t understand us and Ashley is a ‘cockney crook.’
It just makes us look insular and xenophobic in the eyes of people from outside the region.
They forget we loved Supermac, Sir Les, Rob Lee, Warren Barton etc.
Hating Ashley has got nothing to do with him being a cockney (cos he’s not).
It’s just cos he’s a tw@.
Return of the Geordi
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Comment #147Lesh
Just wondered if the “and will not be – possible” bit means the outgoing management can’t negotiate contracts anymore? Wishful thinking
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Comment #148I’m still 80% that we’ll be sold before the season starts and that Rafa will be back in the chair.
But if we aren’t and MA is still here I don’t buy into the “we are definitely doomed, player exodus and relegated” opinion.
I agree it may be a longshot but there will be ambitious skilled and relatively unknown managers out there who could do a good job with the squad we have plus new signings.. Klopp, Mourinho, Pochettino, Wenger and Benitez himself were all unknown until they got their chance and proved themselves.
If the worst happens and a relatively unproven new manager arrives, not a Pulis or his like, if the fans get on his back quick they’ll be writing their own funeral march to relegation.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:13 PM
Comment #149I think I have been pretty tame compared to some of the stuff I have seen on here. Read the blog for years so I know what went on. Ages ago there was a running feud between B&B and his brother. As I said, my stuff is tame.
Nostradamus " Mike Ashley The Clown "
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:14 PM
Comment #150I keep on hearing fcuking Roy Keanes name being mentioned, if Ashley doesn’t sell the club and he appoints that piece of shit I do so hope the fans make sure his life Roy is a living hell.
And to help in some songs choices his middle name is Maurice, Ashley makes him Manager it tells you much about how he hates the very people that spend there money at St James.
Foggy Hall to Timbuktu
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Comment #151Bills Son
I hope so I have just thrown a tenner on it.
I am hoping for the treble. New owner, Rafa and £170 in my pocket to celebrate all in one announcement.
Fingers crossed!
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Comment #152Who else you think thin KBA might try and hound out away from the blog
So they can go back to controlling the narrative
To “wag the dog”
Hiya
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:16 PM
Comment #153Foggy Hall to Timbuktu
Hiya
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:17 PM
Comment #154Re my post above.
Ambitious doesn’t mean a new manager needs £100 million to spend. Managing a Prem club with our history, 52,000 fans and players like Dubravka, Schar, Lejeune, Lascelles, Shelvey, Longstaff and Almiron with another £50M to spend plus player sales would still be one of the best jobs outside of the top 6.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:18 PM
Comment #155Well if geordietom is openly admitting he’s coming back just to provoke an argument with the frog what is the point of him, 90% of geordietoms posts contain the words TOON22, and people question my anti Ashley sentiments as repetitive
🙄
Moonraker15
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:18 PM
Comment #156Tony
I agree about Moyes; he’s an experienced manager been through the mill. However, what difference does it make to us supporters? We will either “survive” in the premier league after a desperate struggle or else get relegated! Some choice when there’s no hope of success!
Our only hope is a buyout and I’m not going back to SJP until it happens. I have no wish to watch a team not good enough when I know the club generates millions each year !
Moonraker15
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Comment #157Bills
Half of those players will be sold !
ShirebrookToon
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #158Best to just ignore the frogbot imo. Same repetitive boring BS
Jail for Ashley
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:23 PM
Comment #159Bills Son Is Back,
You know your football as well, and some more than anyone on this blog, do you still not get it?. Any manager is fighting a losing battle to bring success with this owner, what is the attraction bar 3M a year. Mike Ashley is hell bent on doing it his way and it does not include adding silverware to a managers CV!!!
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 4:23 PM
Comment #160I am interested to see Bobbybee’s take on this. I am guessing he is composing a 3,000 word essay?