Martin Lol Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 ALBERT LUQUE last night gave a damning insight into the cash-crazy reign of Freddy Shepherd which nearly destroyed Newcastle. New chairman Chris Mort has already blasted Shepherd for leaving the Toon in a state of financial ruin before Mike Ashley’s millions rescued the club. Mort, who took over in July, insisted last week the club were “close to folding like a pack of cards” before reclusive billionaire Ashley took centre stage. And now super-flop Luque has shown just why. The Spanish striker revealed his pure astonishment after plucking a monumental wage demand out of thin air — and hearing Shepherd say ‘Yes’ with no hesitation. Luque, who pocketed around £85,000 a week, admits he just joined for the money in 2005 and left for Ajax in the summer simply appalled at the way Shepherd ran Newcastle. He said: “No one could understand why I joined Newcastle but I got an offer I couldn’t refuse. “I had a meeting with the chairman Freddy Shepherd and he asked me what I wanted to earn. “So I said an absurd, completely ridiculous amount and he immediately said it was OK. “The next day he spoke with Augusto Lendoiro, the chairman of Deportivo La Coruna, and in that meeting it was exactly the same. “He asked what the price was and Lendoiro said 15million euro and the deal was done. “In both cases, Shepherd didn’t even negotiate. “Twice, he said ‘Yes’ and in 24 hours my whole life changed dramatically. “It was bizarre. I was going to earn a gigantic amount of money at a club I had never followed in a city I didn’t know. “From all the players at Newcastle, I had never heard of them — and I hardly spoke any English.” The Spain international endured a nightmare spell on Tyneside after being signed by former Magpies chief Graeme Souness for a whopping £9.5m two years ago. He left for Holland before the transfer window slammed shut for around £1.5m, joining the likes of Jean-Alain Boumsong and Marcelino as the biggest wastes of money during Shepherd’s rollercoaster 10-year reign. Luque, 29, made just SIX Premier League starts in TWO years and hated working with former Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder. In his time at St James’ Park, he scored just three goals in all competitions — while earning the best part of £9MILLION. Luque has already hit two for Ajax to help them go top of the Dutch League. He added: “It is a wonder I held out that long. In that period I was often asked about returning to Spanish clubs but being perfectly honest nobody could match my contract. “I earned so much at Newcastle and you don’t let that go so easily. “But this summer I told myself that money wasn’t everything and isn’t important. So I’ve chosen for life and for football and to feel like a player again. “In between, Newcastle have a new chairman and I told him that for me he could keep his money as long as I can go. “For the club it’s good that Shepherd and Roeder are gone. “I still had a contract for three seasons so I’ve lost a tremendous amount of money. “But that doesn’t interest me one bit right now. I was fed up living like a tourist in England. I just left for Amsterdam and didn’t want to stay one day longer in Newcastle. It was an awful time and that’s why I’m glad of the challenge that’s awaiting me. “I am happy now. With my wife we’re living in the middle of Amsterdam and that’s in contrast with a village outside Newcastle. “In the morning when I open the curtains I see people while, in Newcastle, it was only trees. “My father is so proud that I’m now playing for the club where his hero Johan Cruyff became a star. Ajax is a choice for my life.” Joey Barton is another player who has hardly set Newcastle alight — but not through choice. Barton quit Manchester City for Tyneside in the summer but has been out with a broken left foot. The £5.8m midfielder played for Toon’s reserves against City this week — his first game since suffering the injury in July. And he insists he deserves some of the credit for City’s amazing revival under Sven Goran Eriksson. He said: “I hope they appreciate the job I did last season. “Were it not for myself, Micah Richards and Richard Dunne they wouldn’t have had Thaksin Shinawatra, the Premier League and Sven Goran Eriksson. They could easily have gone down last season but for a couple of results.” Eriksson has led City to third in the Premier League, thanks partly to the millions of new owner Shinawatra. But Barton, 25, insists he has no regrets about joining Toon. He said: “Hopefully, we’ll get the kind of investment they got at City and get a similar result. “Newcastle can be as big as they want to be. No disrespect to City but, in Manchester, Manchester United will always be top dog. “As much as City want to believe it, it is not going to be. “The big thing about Newcastle is there is only Newcastle. “Newcastle could be a big side and turn it from a big four into a big five.” http://thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article291342.ece Probably nothing new, but could be good for you that the Sun can't do any better than regurgitate something old, even if there are a lot of direct quotes in it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sempuki Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 That Barton quote is rehashed. Luque - what a tool! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Erich von Manstein Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Fair play, a footballer being honest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasy Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 That entire thing is several months old, not even accurare either... The Sun must be running out of idea's. Hold on, no that is the several month old article.. Jol, why have you posted an article from October you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johnson293 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 That Barton quote is rehashed. Luque - what a tool! If you look closer, the whole article is from October last year!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcastle Fan Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 That entire thing is several months old, not even accurare either... The Sun must be running out of idea's. Yep. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nufc_geordie Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 To be honest I would have done the same as him if that is the true case, and fair play that when he wasn't getting a game he walked away to get first team football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Old as the proverbial hills. By STEVE BRENNER Published: 03 Oct 2007 Bindun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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