Graeme Jones has given his first press conference as caretaker manager this morning ahead of Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park. He has confirmed that Newcastle’s new owners have asked him to take charge of the next two matches.
So Jones will be on the touchline at Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon as well as against Chelsea a week later at St. James’ Park, which will be a very proud moment for the boyhood Newcastle fan.
Newcastle have released the following interview NUFC TV conducted with Jones earlier. This is a very professional interview from Jones in which he is respectful of Steve Bruce but also instills confidence that he can get the players focused for tomorrow’s ultra-important match at Crystal Palace.
?? Taking interim charge of his boyhood club
?? Remaining professional
?? Preparing for Palace
?? Travelling fansGraeme Jones spoke with NUFC TV ahead of #CRYNEW tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/yWvR4dbukX
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 22, 2021
It appears the search for Bruce’s permanent successor will continue through next week. The board conducted a remote interview with Paulo Fonseca on Wednesday but have some other candidates lined up to speak to.
Here is a video from Jones’s press conference in which he confirms that he will take charge for the next two matches.
? "They've asked me to take the team for the next two games."
Newcastle's caretaker manager Graeme Jones confirms that he will be in charge against Crystal Palace and Chelsea pic.twitter.com/9TeKCpBQVV
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 22, 2021
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227 comments so far
DubaiMicky
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:39 PM
Comment #1Snap!
DubaiMicky
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Comment #2GJ seems to be a proper Geordie gentleman.
Great interview, “I’m one of them”.
Munster Mag
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:42 PM
Comment #3Lads I’ve been saying same re Jones since the first two interviews I saw of him. Good guy, will suit Fonseca too. Both believe in possession football. And he supports nufc too.
Adamn_92
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:43 PM
Comment #4All the best to Jones in the two coming games. Hopefully we see a bounce from the players and a bit more tactics wise.
With him confirming he’s been asked to take charge for the next 2 games, I think it’s safe to say we likely won’t hear about a new manager for at least another week. Would be strange to confirm a new manager but not have them take charge for another week or something.
cleveleysbob
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:44 PM
Comment #5I suspect new manager will be in stands for Chelsea game, soak up atmosphere, see the team play, then take charge for Brighton onwards.
clinath@ed
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:48 PM
Comment #6Anew manager would try and avoid the likes of Chelsea as his first game..
cleveleysbob
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:49 PM
Comment #7The board are going about things properly, interviewing everyone on their shortlist before making a recommendation for Chairman to “rubber stamp”.
Fonseca was 1st interviewed. Hence headlines like “he’s in the waiting room”.
Favre, yesterday.
Lampard, this morning.
Discussion and decision this afternoon, off to PIF to sign off.
Announcement by middle of next week would be my guess. (All opinions of course) 🙂
DubaiMicky
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:50 PM
Comment #8GJ could be a sensible choice to steady the ship and take us out of the relegation mess.
It’s a typically Arab move, delay, delay, delay, then make a decision and want it tomorrow.
hibbit
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:52 PM
Comment #9i still think it’s the DoF who’ll be the first announcement,
Swlabr
Oct 22, 2021 at 2:53 PM
Comment #10I sincerely hope the new management team keep GJ on.
DrGloom
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:01 PM
Comment #11Jones said in the nufc interview that the owners had clarified his position so I presume that means he’s here for the longer term and any new manager will have to take him onto coaching staff …. Hopefully that won’t be the case with the two Steve’s
Mund
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #12So refreshing to hear Jonesy speak and a different contrast to the conferences of the last two years.
I think we will see a different footballing side tomorrow with hopefully every player up to the task in hand.
SholaShow
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #13If you can grind out a pt to stop the rot, great, if you can grab all 3, smashing and helps the incoming manager in a lot.
Will be interesting to see the team he picks.
Pure guesswork, but I think we’ll see starts for Fraser and Murphy.
sparky55
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #14I like him! 🙂
Talks a better talk than John Carver anyway! 🙂 🙂
I really hope he gets a few points on the board for us from those two games…it would give the whole club and massive lift and hopefully ensure he retains some kind of role under the new manager…whoever that may be.
Onwards and upwards
Sheikh rattle and roll 🙂
SholaShow
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:05 PM
Comment #15I don’t think any new manager worth their salt gives a damn who their first match is against.
We’re done with cowardly gits leading us.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #16Sheikh rattle and roll 😀
Hope he does better than get close to a win though.
Uncertain Toon/World
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #17Holy shortlists!
How long is this shortlist? I like the thorough and methodical approach.
Uncertain Toon/World
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #18I suppose the next 2 games are an audition for Graeme Jones to the new gaffer coming in.
Adamn_92
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Comment #19clinath@ed
Why? Why would a manager want to wait and not come in for a game against Chelsea? Don’t think it would be a good sign of a manager if they shy’d away from a match. Think it’s far more likely that the process is being well thought out and no decision will be made this week, as whenever the announcement was made, any decent manager would be itching to meet the team and take the first session. Not wait another week or so to start having a say in matters.
sparky55
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:10 PM
Comment #20Jail…we can but hope mate…it’s a tough ask but hopefully Jones will get the kind of lift OGS got from the Man U squad after Mourinho was sacked…there will hopefully be a huge sigh of relief from our squad and they find some extra gears and really show us what they’re capable of.
Fingers crossed…onwards and upwards
Sheikh rattle and roll 🙂
Toon67
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Comment #21Davas28
Massive article
https://theathletic.com/2900252/2021/10/20/inside-incredible-premier-league-meeting-what-it-means-newcastle-beyond/?amp
Inside the ‘incredible’ Premier League meeting – and what it means for Newcastle and beyond
Dan Sheldon and more Oct 20, 2021
One club executive left Monday’s emergency Premier League meeting and described it as the “most astonishing” they had ever attended. That feeling was shared across the board.
“I’d never seen or heard anything like it in my life… it was incredible,” mused a person present. You get the idea: this wasn’t your standard shareholders’ meeting.
The reason for their incredulity was because they had listened to a verbal statement from Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director and a man very much associated with that club’s now-ended Mike Ashley regime. In it, Charnley threatened legal action against not only the Premier League but also the executives in attendance if a vote was passed to block Newcastle from making lucrative sponsorship deals. It transpired Newcastle had also sent a letter outlining their stance to the Premier League before the meeting but Charnley’s statement was the first other club executives had heard of it.
“Newcastle only sent the letter to the Premier League,” said a source. “Everyone has now seen the letter but nobody knew it existed before the meeting started. We found out from Lee’s statement.”
The 19 other Premier League clubs had already held an extraordinary meeting last week, at which officials tried to explain the decision to sanction Newcastle’s takeover by a Saudi Arabia-linked consortium fronted by Amanda Staveley, a deal that many of the domestic top flight’s members vehemently opposed for multiple reasons.
Tensions were already simmering before Monday’s meeting at Premier League headquarters in Paddington, west London but Charnley’s statement created a siege mentality among those present. It led to 18 clubs voting in favour — Newcastle voted against, Manchester City abstained — of introducing a temporary amendment that bans new commercial opportunities involving pre-existing business relationships going through.
sparky55
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Comment #22@19…I think it’s a matter of they don’t know who the manager will be in two weeks time…I don’t believe they’ve concluded everything yet…and it’s possible GJ could be in charge for the game after Chelsea as well if everything’s not sorted…I don’t think any of the prospective managers and shying away from the Chelsea Match.
I’d like to think so anyway
Onwards and upwards
Sheikh rattle and roll 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Comment #23Watched the Jones interview. I like the way he comes across. I know he hasn’t been at the club long but he’s the kind of person the new manager wants to try and keep, as he knows the club and the city. Of course, the new manager might have another assistant manager in mind…
Adamn_92
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #24Sparky
I completely agree, I don’t think any manager we bring in will be looking to avoid the Chelsea game before they start. That would be madness to shy away from a game. New manager will want to start getting to work the second they’re announced. That’s what you want from a new manager anyway. Jones will likely take the next 2 games just simply because the process of getting a new manager will take that amount of time. Could be that they want to get a DOF and manager both sorted first and announce them both.
JP...from The Rock
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #25Apparently we won’t be getting a new manager until after the next international break.
ShaytoStay
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #26Charnley is a plonker
Optimistic prime
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #27Chelsea is a free hit.
You’re expected to lose, win you’re a instant hero.
Optimistic prime
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #28JP
Where you heard that?
Can’t see it myself.
ShaytoStay
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:22 PM
Comment #29cleveleysbob I hope you’re right, lampard though . If there is sign off required by pif, an investment firm you would think Favre is the man. We can just wait and see
cleveleysbob
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:22 PM
Comment #30They passed the resolution so effectively, the PL and the 18 clubs have now committed an illegal “anti competition” act. As Martin Samuels pointed out, this effectively means they are a “cartel” preventing the opportunities to an individual member, that many of those present had previously enjoyed for many years.
The courts love this sort of thing, and will take them to the cleaners. I hope they’ve all got deep pockets as it’s going to cost them a fortune if they don’t back down.
At the moment it’s irrelevant as it’s only temporary for 1 Month.
I suspect that’s for all of them to seek legal advice (which Man C already had) after which I think the matter will be dropped like a hot potato 😆
Rotonda heights
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:23 PM
Comment #31Get the feeling it’s jamie reuben who is pushing the lampard link as apparently they’re good friends. Not a good criteria to pick someone on.
Ron Knee
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:25 PM
Comment #32“Criterion”, RH.
clinath@ed
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:26 PM
Comment #33Why Adamn?
Because managers know the importance of a good start and decent statistics, this blog has been quoting them solid for 2 weeks now!
Don’t think a quality manager is afraid of any team, but, ideally, you’d want time with your squad before taking on the bigger challenges.
Uncertain Toon/World
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:27 PM
Comment #34If Jones gets a win at Palace and a result against Chelsea(like a draw when we’re always in the game), the consortium might look at Jones to keep us up and focus on the DoF appointment?
Big IF obviously!
Found this piece on Luis Campos, decent read.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2844278-luis-campos-the-transfer-genius-who-is-one-of-footballs-most-wanted-men
cleveleysbob
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Comment #35I still expect New Manager to be announced by middle of next week – my opinion.
He’ll be in the stands against Chelsea and take charge for the Brighton game.
They won’t hang about because it’s a high possibility that we’ll lose the Palace/Chelsea games and be deep in the brown stuff.
Any points that GJ can get us will be viewed as a bonus by consortium.
Uncertain Toon/World
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:30 PM
Comment #36Cleverleys,
I think Citeh abstaining is significant.
Adamn_92
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Comment #37clinath@ed
I’m sorry but I just don’t believe that for a second. I don’t think any manager would choose to delay taking charge to avoid a match because they’re thinking of how it will look on their statistics if they lose. Any decent manager will want to get in there and start working the second they can, regardless of when their first match is and who it’s against. Nobody, including the manager himself, fans and the players would look at their first match in charge against say Chelsea and if we lost think ‘Damn what a terrible start I guess this manager is rubbish and we don’t stand a chance’.
SholaShow
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:34 PM
Comment #38I doubt Lampard is being pushed and we should all take media speculation with a grain of salt.
As Shaytostay said, any process driven by a sober analysis of who provides the best balance of good football, least risk of relegation, experience of the circumstances, working with what you have in a tough spot and then making big improvements – lands you at Favre.
He’s made an impact everywhere he’s been.
I also want those Dortmund contacts 😛
Ketsbaia9
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:35 PM
Comment #39If Jones does well in the next two games, I would give him the chance and make him permanent. Top bloke.
clinath@ed
Oct 22, 2021 at 3:35 PM
Comment #40I accept your apologies Adamn 😉
Agree to disagree