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Opinion

The Newcastle United manager search…Are we really that desperate?

5 years ago
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So, the Newcastle United manager search is reaching farcical levels it appears.

When the club issued a statement saying that agreement will not be reach with Rafa Benitez, I feared the worst.

To tell you the truth, with the Spaniard’s contract entering the final few months the writing was on the wall and most knew he would walk, as you simply don’t let any manager’s contract wind down to such a stage. At least professional clubs don’t.

Initially, I fully anticipated that they would give it to newly appointed Neil Redfearn and/or Ben Dawson and it still wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if that still ended up happening…

However, I’m amazed that this week the club actually appear to be actively searching for a manager.

Now it may be purely window dressing but I can’t believe the reports that are coming out, as it seems our ‘search’ has taken us ‘Back To The Future’.

Are we REALLY so desperate that we are looking at Steve Bruce?

Steve Bruce, a manager I was adamant that I didn’t want anywhere near the hotseat way back when Sir Bobby Robson was shown the door and that was over 15 years ago.

Are we REALLY sure that this man deemed not good enough for the mackems best part of a decade ago and who has spent time in the Championship at such clubs as Hull City, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday since the alleged Toon fan’s ‘conversion’ to Wearyside, is the man to take us forward? Beg your pardon Mr Charnley?

If he really is such a ‘Proud Geordie’ as he is often portrayed, then he won’t come anywhere near this shower. I could at least have respect for that in the absence of anything that he has achieved as a manager, which is really what we should be judging him on.

Also, if he is mates with a certain Mr A Shearer, then hopefully Wor Alan will warn him off and tell him to preserve whatever dignity he has. If Alan doesn’t have a quiet word with him then he will also go down in my estimation.

Moving on, imagine my surprise this morning when travelling to work, I switched on the radio and out of the speakers (via Talksport) the voice of Sam Allardyce croaked into the car.

Giving an interview, he revealed that not only had Newcastle approached him to sign back up to this ongoing charade…but he had actually turned the club down. Unbelievable! So now we can’t even attract a manager we sacked over 11 years ago who gave us the most archaic football you will ever see on display under the name Newcastle United? That’s when you REALLY see how far we have fallen.

Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce? Once again Newcastle United showing all the vision of a myopic hedgehog. Are fans REALLY prepared to sign up again for this rubbish? As ever with Lee Charnley and Newcastle United – You aren’t trying hard enough.

I had gone through various names that I can see the club turning to, to slot into this mess, from the obvious yes man that would take the job and be grateful for whatever conditions that are placed on them with regards to the transfer policy and absolute minimum budget to recruit players.

That would thankfully rule out managers such as David Moyes and Mark Hughes, as one thing those two men aren’t, are yes men. They WILL want control and money for players. I’ll happily clutch at whatever positive I can I’m afraid.

Furthermore, Tim Sherwood initially sprung to mind, Kevin Nolan has been complimentary of owner Mike Ashley (which disappoints me greatly) but none jump out at you as there simply isn’t one that would take the job with those conditions attached. I originally thought Tony Pulis would be a shoe-in being that he’s recently become available and was based in the north-east.

But again I ask the question- REALLY? Is this how low the club have sank?

The person that would definitely put up with it is another former manager of ours and I don’t think I have to mention his name, his ego and five years experience at the club stand him in VERY good stead. It wouldn’t surprise me if Lee Charnley has been nudged in his direction to at least have a word.

So there we have it. A farcical situation and one that only causes absolute havoc with the season only four weeks away. Let’s forget about the transfer window as that has come and is quickly going without so much as a signing made as yet. Departures don’t seem to be affected but why would they be?

The whole aim is to string the window out, bank the inevitable profits (£30m from Ayoze Perez and counting) and eventually appoint whichever patsy will suck up to Mike Ashley and do as they are told.

What a club…

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