Hughton sacked by Newcastle
442 Staff - Monday 06 December 2010, 14:29
LONDON - Newcastle United sacked Chris
Hughton as manager on Monday after only 14 months in the job
saying the club needed someone with more experience to take them
forward.
Hughton, appointed full-time manager in October 2009, led
Newcastle back to the Premier League last season and although
they have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, speculation
about his future has swirled around St James' Park for months.
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Newcastle lost 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday to slip
to 11th in the standings, prompting Hughton's dismissal and the
start of the search for the club's 12th manager in 13 years.
"Newcastle United have today parted company with manager
Chris Hughton. Goalkeeping coach Paul Barron also leaves the
club today," the club said in a statement on their website.
"The board would like to place on record their thanks to
Chris for his considerable efforts during the club's transition
from Championship to Premier League football. Chris has shown
exceptional character and commitment since being appointed.
"Regrettably the board now feels that an individual with
more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward.
Reserve team manager Peter Beardsley, a former Newcastle
forward and England international, was put in temporary charge
of the team.
Former West Ham United manager Alan Pardew has been linked
with the job. He was scheduled to fly to Newcastle on Tuesday
morning, sources in the north-eastern city said.
The next manager will have the task of trying to revive the
north-east club's glory days, they won the last of their four
top-flight league titles in 1927, and their long-suffering fans
were quick to voice their anger.
GENERAL MOOD
In a brief statement released via the League Managers'
Association (LMA), Hughton said: "We have built on last season's
momentum following promotion back up to the Premier League and
have produced some excellent results to see us sitting midway in
the table at this stage of the season.
"I am immensely proud of my achievements with Newcastle and
I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff
and the supporters during my time as manager. I now wish them
and the club all the very best for the future."
Website forums were flooded with comments following
Newcastle's decision to end Hughton's tenure, one on the local
Evening Chronicle site reading: "Disgusted, disgraceful,
shameful, cowardly," summing up the general mood.
Chairman Mike Ashley, who tried to sell the club two years
ago and who has endured a rocky relationship with the fans, also
came in for widespread criticism while Hughton was praised for
his honesty, decency and recognised for the progress he had made
operating with limited resources.
Midfielder Kevin Nolan told Sky Sports News that he was;
"Gutted, surprised and shocked."
Hughton, a former Tottenham Hotspur and Ireland full-back,
spent 14 years as a coach at Spurs before joining Newcastle in
2008.
After former striker Alan Shearer was drafted in and failed
to prevent the club's relegation from the Premier League in
2009, Hughton took charge as a caretaker before getting the job
on a permanent basis three months into the season.
Having secured promotion as champions and with strong
backing from fans and players, he made a decent start to the
Premier League campaign.
Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 in their second game,
beat local rivals Sunderland 5-1, had impressive wins at Arsenal
and Everton and a home draw with champions Chelsea.
Although the club's home form has generally been poor, with
three defeats and three draws from eight games, they are still
above the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Villa who all finished
in the top eight last season.
Hughton has also had a hand in developing striker Andy
Carroll into an England international and his calm approach has
helped midfielders Joey Barton and Nolan to blossom.