Sacking Hughton

With promotion now secured and the only unbeaten home record in the country to their name; you’d think all would be settled on Tyneside. But rumours have emerged suggesting that Mike Ashley is considering replacing Chris Hughton in theNewcastle hot-seat and it could be the owner’s biggest decision to date.

The Premiership is a huge step up from the second tier and just like players; managers also struggle to make the grade. Ashley needs to decide if Hughton has the experience to succeed at the top level and the pulling power to attract the necessary talent to ensure survival. If he were given the chop, Hughton would leave a hero, but after all his hard work surely he deserves his chance in the big time and more importantly he has earned it.

Promotion

Many were predicting that Newcastle would go the same way as Leeds especially after the disastrous 6-1 defeat at Leyton Orient in pre-season. Hughton was there in a time of adversity and stuck to his role, preparing the players throughout pre-season for a tough Championship campaign. Whether or not the football has been as entertaining as the Keegan era is debatable, but consider this; when King Kev was promoted in 92-93 Newcastle lost 8 games in total, now compare that to the current side that have lost only 4 league games all season as well as keeping 20 clean sheets.

Added to that the entertaining football that has been evident in recent weeks with empathic and high-scoring displays, including a 6-1 demolition of Barnsley, and it’s difficult to see why there would be any complaints. 

He has brought the best out of expensive imports Enrique, Gutierrez and Coloccini. Granted they are playing against lesser opposition, but this must not dis-credit the confidence he has instilled in the trio.

Look as well at the rejuvenation of Shola Ameobi and Kevin Nolan, both were touted with potential England call-ups earlier on in their career and although they have not reached these heights, they do look like they could threaten once again in the Premier League.

Furthermore how could Mike Ashley justify sacking a manager who has achieved his goal at the first time of asking. One remembers Mike Newell being sacked after leading Hartlepool to promotion in 2002-2003; however he did let a 16 point lead slip as the Pools had to settle for second place. After two disastrous spells as caretaker manager, in which he recorded only one win, as permanent manager Hughton can boast an impressive record of losing only 6 games in all competitions this season.

Dignity

Never has a manger at Newcastle been so understated and it is a refreshing change from the circus that normally surrounds the club.

What a difference to hear the manager being realistic and bringing down the unreasonable expectation that has dogged Tyneside for years.

One person who knows this better than most after 17 years at the club is goalkeeper Steve Harper, who feels the success is all down to Hughton: ‘Chris deserves all the plaudits. To pull together a group of players who were very disappointed last season and then to get promotion at the first hurdle means he deserves a crack at it.’

Backing from players is evidently there and the fans seem to be firmly behind the 51-year old. ‘Newcastle are united again’- said one member of the Toon Army on a local phone in this week and other words used to describe the team were solid, together and unified. This is all a far cry from the tears on the pitch on the final day of last season and the high earning journeyman there to pick up the big wages.

Big Name

On that theme, the pursuit of the big name has been the downfall of Newcastle for so long. Owen, Shearer Keegan, Kluivert are names that resonate with fans across Europe and although impressive, has it benefited the club?  Even take a look at the Championship; Roy Keane has been of the biggest names in football over the last 15 years, yet has that brought success to Ipswich? Gordon Strachan came to Middlesbrough with a huge reputation but has yet to make his mark on Teesside. Heck, two of the biggest managerial names of all time in Clough and Ferguson are plying their trade at Derby and Preston respectively, but this is hardly a pre-requisite for success.

Maybe the thought is that someone like a Mark Hughes would be better placed to stabilise the club given his record at Blackburn on a limited budget and he certainly deserves a chance after his somewhat unfair sacking fromManchester City. However the football world was up in arms when this happened and wouldn’t the former Wales international or any other candidate for that matter be getting the job under similar circumstances.

In addition, which top name manager would be attracted to Newcastle with a limited transfer budget available? Managing Director Derek Llambias has spoken of the change in the club’s transfer policy: ‘The days of Newcastle spending £10-£15 million on a player are over.’

He did though carry on to say money will be available but the focus will be on youth rather than established players.

History

Interestingly this case mirrors a previous situation at Newcastle where Glenn Roeder replaced Graeme Souness after his unsuccessful tenure. A winning run and empathic derby win, cumulating in European qualification staked Roeder’s case for the job full time, and he was duly given his chance. But an unsuccessful reign ended after only one season and this could well be the Mike Ashley’s very own cautionary tale

The biggest difference however is that although Roeder was respected as a former captain, the fans never really warmed to him as manager, whereas the current occupant does have the fans backing. Let us not forget these are the same fans that were clamouring for Alan Shearer in the summer, when no other candidate would do, yet Hughton has still managed to win them over.

Remember as well that he has treaded the boards of the footballing world, mainly as a coach at Tottenham Hotspur, where despite the revolving door of managers he still remained amongst the coaching set-up and will have no doubt benefitted from a year’s solo managerial experience.This of course is on top of a successful playing career in which he won the FA and UEFA Cup as well as representing the Republic of Ireland. 

Decision Time

It’s crunch time for Ashley in his reign as Newcastle chairman. The masses would be prepared to forgive if he were able to establish Newcastle as a top club once more, but it will need major investment. Now the decision lies with him as to whether he wants to entrust the current manager with the funds to re-develop the squad or if he feels a more experienced top flight man would be more astute with his cash. Given his record of hiring and firing it may well be a case of better the devil you know and time to show the new, stable, pragmatic and hopefully successful Newcastle United. By more luck than judgement Ashley has unearthed a gem and why go changing a winning formula because for once on Tyneside, it’s looking good. There’s been enough hardship at the club to last a life time and Chris Hughton deserves his shot at the big time. So Geordies enjoy your journey in the Prem, in fact have a blast, and just hope that in 6 months time you won’t be thinking; Hughton, we have a problem