Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

Just how lucky are Newcastle United to once again find such talent on their doorstep

7 years ago
Share

Newcastle United must be the luckiest club in the Premier League if not the planet.

When Alan Pardew walked out on the club in December 2014, after a few weeks of John Carver in caretaker charge the club declared that he would continue with the job until the end of the season and they would use the time to scour the world for the very best person to take the club forward to a glorious long-term future.

Remarkably, that world tour

That world tour ended up only 30 miles down the road.

Newcastle found their best world candidate living on their doorstep in Teesside.

Step forward Steve McClaren.

A little strange though as McClaren was only sacked on 25 May 2015 by Derby and then appointed by Newcastle on 10 June 2015.

The new Newcastle United supremo had only become available when sacked for failing at Derby County. That fact meant it was obvious there had been no serious 6 month search, as for most of that time there didn’t look a chance that the plonker would be sacked by the Rams.

The NUFC luck doesn’t end there though.

After Derek Llambias resigned as Newcastle United Managing Director in June 2013, who did they eventually appoint?

Seen as the key role (away from the playing side) at most clubs, the normal practice would be to scour the UK and even the World for the best and most dynamic candidate, a go-getter who can drive your club forward with a long-term ambitious vision.

Amazingly, Newcastle United found him already employed at the club! Lee Charnley stepping up from his role as secretary to be the new dynamic main man

When Newcastle United were last in the Premier League, a report showed the earnings of all the Managing Directors/Chief Executives in the top tier (see HERE) and Lee Charnley was by far the lowest paid, with some other PL club chiefs getting 25 times more than Charnley.

Less than 24 hours ago, lightning had remarkably struck for a third time at St James Park.

After considering who should take on the pivotal role of ‘Head of Recruitment’ at Newcastle United to replace Graham Carr, the club have managed to find the perfect candidate once again already employed by the club.

The relatively unknown Steve Nickson has been given the job after having previously been in charge of youth recruitment at the club. Just how lucky can you get, the very best man for the job already on the payroll.

A massive relief that you don’t have to go out and offer big money to somebody employed by another club, who has a proven track record of bringing in high quality players.

All joking aside…you would have a decent bet that as well as having the lowest paid Managing Director in the Premier League, Newcastle United also have the same when it comes to Head of Recruitment.

Spending money does not always guarantee success but not spending money does pretty much guarantee failure, especially in the longer-term.

Once again, Rafa Benitez cannot do it all, blind faith that he can put everything right at the club by himself.

The aim of the club should be to lift the standard of people employed throughout, to the level of the Newcastle United Manager.

Until that happens, we are swimming uphill against the tide.

(All contributions from Newcastle fans welcome, send articles (as well as ideas/suggestions) to contribute@themag.co.uk)

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks