Early last season, when Miguel Almiron was away on international duty with Paraguay, his agent Daniel Campos stirred up a hornet’s nest with comments he made to the Paraguayan press. The agent hinted that Almiron was primed for a big move at the end of the season.
Here is a refresher on those comments from last November:
“Miguel Almirón was being observed by Atletico Madrid but no offer was made. When everything returns to normal, Miguel will take a leap in quality.
“Miguel’s work rate at Newcastle and Paraguay has been great. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would’ve been elsewhere. Perhaps he would like to play on a team that has a lot of possession. Maybe in June, he’ll make that jump.”
The comments came up during then NUFC head coach Steve Bruce’s press conference that week. Bruce gave one of his more memorable responses in saying:
“The agent is an amateur who is looking to make a fast buck. I couldn’t miss them because they were that outrageous.
“It’s a two bob agent and it was amateurish It’s hugely disrespectful to his client.
“Had it been Miguel Almiron coming to see me that is different.”
Fast forward to this week and El Gol Digital has a report that La Liga’s Elche has Almiron in their sights for a move this summer. Elche is a yo-yo club of sorts who as recently as 2017 were in the Spanish third division largely due to financial difficulties.
Elche are currently in 15th after narrowly staying up last season by winning their final two fixtures. This is hardly the level of club Campos was referencing just under a year ago. He’s suddenly changed his tune in regards to his client’s future.
Paraguayan journalist Juan Coronel has tweeted the following response from Campos to the Elche link. It translates to: “It is unlikely (going to Elche). We will see if he leaves because he is one of the pillars of the revolution of Newcastle ”
"Es improbable (ida al Elche). Veremos si sale, porque es uno de los pilares de la renovación del #Newcastle".
Daniel Campos, representante de Miguel Almirón. @Universo970py. https://t.co/TBg9n3pXLh pic.twitter.com/7SNfYDGGN4— Juan Coronel (@juanracoronel) October 27, 2021
Amiron has struggled at Newcastle after showing promising signs under Rafa Benitez. Bruce just never figured out how to get the best out of the 27-year-old. Hopefully, our next manager can turn Miggy into a ‘pillar of the revolution’.
170 comments so far
cleveleysbob
Oct 27, 2021 at 10:52 PM
Comment #41This has seemed like a really long week already as we wait for news, patience req’d I suppose. 🙁
Mund
Oct 27, 2021 at 10:53 PM
Comment #42Some shocking replies tho
cleveleysbob
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:00 PM
Comment #43Mund yeah, I noticed that and seemingly opening a rift between us and some of our new Saudi “fans”. Unfortunate. 🙁
Mund
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:03 PM
Comment #44Bob
End of the day mate they will have to get on board or keep schtum. The talk about change and 2030 vision they need to accept how the west do things as we are a westernised football club and that’s just how it is regardless of PIF owning us. Not a great look. City do the same and homosexuality is banned in the UAE also. I guess it’s just something we will have to get use to.
Mund
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:06 PM
Comment #45No surprise really
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
32s
Game over for Ronald Koeman at Barcelona. Emergency meeting with Laporta and board after Rayo game. Statement expected soon as per Sport. Red circle #FCB
JohnJ
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:06 PM
Comment #46carltoon
Oct 27, 2021 at 10:16 PM
Comment #23
Moyes was near the top of my list to replace Rafa. Like you I thought he did a great job at Everton on very limited resources. But on reflection I really don’t know who could have succeeded under Mr Ashley
It is a pity he went to Man United but perhaps it’s also a pity he went to Sunderland!
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:11 PM
Comment #47Mund
I was expecting to wake up to Koeman being gone in the morning but I’m not even going to bed for another six hours and he’s already oot!
Question now is: will Barca get their manager before us?
Answer: yeah, probably
NY Mag
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:14 PM
Comment #48Scythe,
Has he been sacked? Or is that just what you’re expecting in the next few hours?
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:16 PM
Comment #49Gladbach walloped a full strength Bayern team 5-0 earlier. Their biggest loss since 1978 apparently. Gives us some hope for Saturday against Chelsea eh? Football really is a funny old game!
carltoon
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:17 PM
Comment #50JohnJ, yes Moyes did lose his way after ManU, but is doing exceptionally well, and got some great players. I actually met the owner David Gold in the lift at St. James Park, and I actually said to him, ” Mr Gold I presume” and he said back ” well I was when I got up this morning “. Ha ha the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. And that’s a true story.
carltoon
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:20 PM
Comment #51Well Barca, don’t hang around when sacking managers do they, the club is in a bit of a state, so no doubt he will be gone tomorrow.
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:20 PM
Comment #52NY Mag
I was just going by what Mund said above. I suppose it’s not official yet so maybe I will wake up to that announcement tomorrow morning. Whoever takes over that job has a bit of work on their hands. Still got a good team but will they be looking to sell more players to balance the books?
onmeedsun
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:23 PM
Comment #53Carltoon
I’ve heard David Gold is a genuinely nice fella, unlike his sidekick Sullivan who really does look like a brown paper bag porn baron!
SholaShow
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:24 PM
Comment #54Barca will either sacrifice another club legend by throwing Xavi in there to fail or, go for ten Hag.
Koeman never made the slightest bit of sense after seeing his short spell at Everton.
We might see the appointing club legends trend come to an end shortly. Yes it works on rare occasion, but everybody seems to be trying it these days with generally bad results.
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:24 PM
Comment #55Although they might be okay financially because I forgot about this…
https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-barcelona-handed-a-lifeline-receive-incredible-12-billion-offer-to-20210928
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:25 PM
Comment #56Xavi seems like the logical choice to replace Koeman. Depends on whether he’s ready to step into a job that big yet.
NY Mag
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:25 PM
Comment #57Scythe,
Looks like you and mund are prophets…..I just seen the breaking news 🙂
Mund
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:26 PM
Comment #58Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
3m
FC Barcelona official statement Red circleBookmark tabsArrow pointing rightwards then curving downwards
“FCB has relieved Koeman of his duties as first team coach. The president of the club Laporta informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva”.
lochinvar
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:30 PM
Comment #59Breaking news
Ronald Koeman has been sacked as manager of Barcelona after just 14 months in charge at the Nou Camp
Well that sorts out the Man U dilemma!
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:31 PM
Comment #60Well Koeman already said a few days ago that he’d enjoy his remaining time with Barca, so it wasn’t exactly a shock!
Wonder if a certain Mr Bruce will be receiving a call? 🙂
Adamn_92
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:32 PM
Comment #61I think the messages coming from the club via Twitter are great. It shows that even though we have Saudi ownership, we’re not changing in terms of standing side by side with LGBTQ+ groups and it’s an example of Saudi being under the spotlight with us can actually be a beneficial thing. New fans from Saudi will see it and it could be a catalyst to get them thinking differently.
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:34 PM
Comment #62West Ham should get Joachim Löw in to replace Moyes. Him and Sullivan could sniff each other’s fingers at half time and compare ‘scents’ and ‘aromas’. Maybe play a game of ‘Where’s this finger been?’
Scythe
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:39 PM
Comment #63Adamn_92
Not likely to change many people’s mind over there on that topic, but even if just one or two people reconsidered their opinions on it then that’ll be amazing 🙂
lochinvar
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:39 PM
Comment #64Before the takeover thoughts of Koeman as Manager here would have seen you laughed at.
Now after the takeover we can say, “Nah, not for us, we’ve got bigger fish to fry”
What a difference a day makes
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:42 PM
Comment #65I would doubt if the five days are being spent to raise fitness levels, that would be a tad pointless.
More likely that Jonesy is trying to get the team better organised and prepared for the Chelsea game.
I’m expecting the team to be shipping less goals from now on and even getting a few wins pre xmas.
lochinvar
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:43 PM
Comment #66“Queremos a Bruce en”
Is the chant from Barca fans tonight.
Good luck with that
Sherry anyone?
The Prince's Mate
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:47 PM
Comment #67I loved Rafa when he was here but not sure it’s a good idea to have him back (if it was possible) I’d certainly give Moyes a go though
Munster Mag
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:56 PM
Comment #68Some people wudnt have touched Moyes a few years ago for nufc, as he was an english dinosaur. Wrong.
Adamn_92
Oct 28, 2021 at 12:08 AM
Comment #69Scythe
Yeah I don’t think it’ll have an amazing impact, but like you say if it gets a few people to start thinking a bit differently, researching it and maybe even change their outlook in such things, it’s only a good thing 🙂
Munster Mag
Oct 28, 2021 at 12:10 AM
Comment #70Rafa would save us and even I could warm to the feeling he wud bring the fans.
But it would be a retrograde appointment in the medium tern. No thanks.
Munster Mag
Oct 28, 2021 at 12:10 AM
Comment #71Favre and campos please.
FloridaToon
Oct 28, 2021 at 12:24 AM
Comment #72So Koeman announced for us on Friday then??
Scythe
Oct 28, 2021 at 1:32 AM
Comment #73FloridaToon
Unlikely, but not impossible! Stranger things have happened. Nobody would have believed that Rafa would end up as the Everton manager and yet, there he is.
I’m not holding my breath regarding an announcement either tomorrow or Friday. Maybe they’ll wait until after Saturday’s game?
…Scythe wakes up tomorrow morning to a statement that Manager X has been announced…
gonufc (Andy O'Brien's Cracking Snoot)
Oct 28, 2021 at 1:51 AM
Comment #74Florian Wirtz was my Number 1 choice as transfer target and now we’re apparently scouting him with people over in Germany.
If we got him that would (in my opinion of course) be a far better choice than some current superstar that we overspend on and would likely have to have a significant problem (E.g. Injuries) to come in Janiary.
So hope that happens!!!
Scythe
Oct 28, 2021 at 2:16 AM
Comment #75gonufc
Unfortunately I think we’ll be forced to overspend no matter who we get because everyone knows we have money available to spend. They’ll all be seeing pound signs and taking us for whatever they can get, which is fair enough. That’s where we are as a club now. Hopefully a good DoF will oversee and access what deals are actually worth pursuing.
ChicoUSA
Oct 28, 2021 at 2:32 AM
Comment #76Hopefully the new manager, whoever it is, knows how to utilize a player of Miggy’s talents. Some shortsighted folks will endlessly bring up his stats in that first season he was acquired at the close of the January window….the lack of assists and goals. But it was really only after adding Almiron to the attack that the “3 Amigos” of Miggy, Ayoze and Rondon began to help us rack up goals and wins!
Almiron plays selflessly, with energy, graft, speed and always a smile on his face. I love this kid! Hope the goals and assist he deserves comes his way with better coaching and better teammates. Regardless he is always one of the first players on my team sheet!
Scythe
Oct 28, 2021 at 2:54 AM
Comment #77ChicoUSA
Hopefully whoever comes in will give everyone a clean slate and actually play them in their preferred positions so they can play to their strengths. This should benefit Miggy and a few others too 🙂
Zhongguo Geordie
Oct 28, 2021 at 3:26 AM
Comment #78Moyes had been rubbish for about ten years, so anyone who said don’t get him seven years ago would have probably been right. He done well getting the Czech guys in, and Bowen and Benrahama both players we should have signed.
Zhongguo Geordie
Oct 28, 2021 at 3:30 AM
Comment #79Almiron got goals and assists in that brief spell Jones played him as a false nine. He was constantly looking a threat. I was surprised to see him dropped, but I can understand the Logic behind handing Fraser a fresh start. If he could get back to his form of his mid to early twenties, He’s a 20m+ player. But then if Shearer could get back to his form… Guess we have to accept some things are never going to happen and hope we can affload him on a free.
Zhongguo Geordie
Oct 28, 2021 at 3:32 AM
Comment #80I have a feeling we will do well against Chelsea. Either a win or a well deserved draw. A good performance is a must.