*OFFICIAL* HUGHTON SACKED

[Crumpy Gunt]

It shouldn't go unnoticed that probably the final nails in Hughtons coffin where driven in by Barton, Colo and Williamson.

[simonlemagnifique]

Henry Winter in today's Torygraph

Move over Sepp Blatter; you’ve got a rival as the Sultan of Shameless.

 

A long-standing, well-fancied contender for the title, Mike Ashley may just have slipped ahead of Blatter. Ashley’s decision to sack Chris Hughton demonstrated everything you needed to know about the Newcastle United chairman’s absence of class as a human being and an employer.

 

In dismissing Hughton, Ashley has done more than mistreat one of English football’s most popular and promising managers, an uncomplaining character who has dealt well with the many problems thrown at him on Tyneside. Ashley has shown contempt to Newcastle’s passionate supporters, who will be there on Gallowgate long after Ashley has sold up and sloped back south.

 

None of the Toon Army’s many foot soldiers racing to the phone-ins, Twitter and online forums could find any sense in Hughton’s defenestration. They liked Hughton, respecting his desire to take the post when nobody else would touch it.

 

Newcastle’s followers admired Hughton’s dignity and lack of ego. They enjoyed his commitment to attacking football, particularly loving results like Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1. They chanted Hughton’s name, backed him relentlessly, and now he’s sacked.

 

If Ashley behaved in similar offhand fashion towards customers at his sports merchandise emporium his business would not survive long.Newcastle fans deserve so much better. No wonder they were enraged.

 

Of the many critical comments made about Ashley, one of the comical ones hit home hardest: apparently Gazza turned up at St James’ with some sandwiches and some beer, asking to see Ashley before he did something stupid.

 

No laughter could drown out the howls of anger. No whisper of the old favourite that usually prefaces sackings, “losing the dressing room”, could be heard. If Newcastle players could be accused of lacking heart in the 3-1 defeat to West Brom it may have been that they knew what was going on, that Hughton was on borrowed time.

 

Now their immediate fortunes will be overseen by Peter Beardsley, who is close to Ashley but not the players. Beardsley loves his trips to London for West End shows and now he is cast in the role of The Caretaker. It promises to be a short run.

 

The frontrunner to take over at Ashley’s Circus is Martin Jol, a decent enough option but hardly brimming with the experience and stellar appeal that might mollify a seething St James’ Park.

 

The problem with any manager of genuine substance like Martin O’Neill considering joining Newcastle is that Ashley wants to sell the club. Whoever goes for the Newcastle manager’s job knows that new owners could arrive in 2011 and want to install their own man. Applier beware. Whether Jol, O'Neill or Alan Pardew, whoever arrives would be advised to check the small print in an Ashley contract. Good luck - and make sure you buy a return ticket..

 

What is particularly inexplicable is that Hughton fitted Ashley’s template for being inexpensive in salary and budgetary requirements.

 

He blooded youngsters. He delivered promotion back to the Premier League and had the Toon punching above their weight, currently sitting 11th on 19 points. Five more wins and a couple of draws will probably secure their elite status.

 

Ashley’s people praised Hughton’s work in the team’s “transition” from Championship to Premier League. Transition? Miracle more like.

 

After years of instability, Newcastle actually seemed settled.

 

But then came Ashley, not just rocking the boat but overturning it in the Tyne. How naive. When a series of storms rolled towards St James’, Hughton handled them well. He has worked hard in trying to make Andy Carroll a better person as well as a better player. Hughton never whinged when Hatem Ben Arfa was incapacitated by Nigel de Jong. He just got on with it.

 

When injury and suspension deprived him of his first-choice centre-halves, Hughton just scrambled the ageing and the creaking, Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor, who performed wonders for him in taming Didier Drogba in the draw with Chelsea. They were given the runabout by Peter Odemwingie at The Hawthorns on Sunday but, in hindsight, it seemed the whole team were in mourning for something.

 

Make that someone. Hughton was well-liked in the dressing-room, where the players respected his unflappability despite losing his No 2 Colin Calderwood. People within the British game clearly felt Hughton and his coaching staff were doing a good job as Calderwood was head-hunted by Hibernian. Hughton will have no problem finding employment. West Ham could be available soon.

 

In public and private, Hughton has been the model of discretion. He is not a man to dwell on his role in triumphs, whether as a nimble, industrious full-back for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1984 Uefa Cup final or in lifting the Championship trophy.

 

He didn’t rush to bask in the limelight after such memorable victories this season at Everton and Arsenal or crow after such triumphs over Sunderland or Aston Villa. Hughton is too classy a man, too keen to praise the exertions of his players and too respectful towards vanquished opponents.

 

Hughton leaves with the ingratitude of the board but with the thanks and sympathy of the people who matter, the fans and players. On his way out of St James’, politely declining comment, Hughton could hold his head high.

 

Not Ashley, who was busy releasing a statement that took hypocrisy to new levels. He praised Hughton’s “exceptional character and commitment”, exactly the traits Ashley is bereft of. Hughton out, Ashley remains. English football has lost a principled man but kept a shameless chairman.

[High Five o]

Henry Winter in today's Torygraph

Move over Sepp Blatter; you’ve got a rival as the Sultan of Shameless.

 

A long-standing, well-fancied contender for the title, Mike Ashley may just have slipped ahead of Blatter. Ashley’s decision to sack Chris Hughton demonstrated everything you needed to know about the Newcastle United chairman’s absence of class as a human being and an employer.

 

In dismissing Hughton, Ashley has done more than mistreat one of English football’s most popular and promising managers, an uncomplaining character who has dealt well with the many problems thrown at him on Tyneside. Ashley has shown contempt to Newcastle’s passionate supporters, who will be there on Gallowgate long after Ashley has sold up and sloped back south.

 

None of the Toon Army’s many foot soldiers racing to the phone-ins, Twitter and online forums could find any sense in Hughton’s defenestration. They liked Hughton, respecting his desire to take the post when nobody else would touch it.

 

Newcastle’s followers admired Hughton’s dignity and lack of ego. They enjoyed his commitment to attacking football, particularly loving results like Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1. They chanted Hughton’s name, backed him relentlessly, and now he’s sacked.

 

If Ashley behaved in similar offhand fashion towards customers at his sports merchandise emporium his business would not survive long.Newcastle fans deserve so much better. No wonder they were enraged.

 

Of the many critical comments made about Ashley, one of the comical ones hit home hardest: apparently Gazza turned up at St James’ with some sandwiches and some beer, asking to see Ashley before he did something stupid.

 

No laughter could drown out the howls of anger. No whisper of the old favourite that usually prefaces sackings, “losing the dressing room”, could be heard. If Newcastle players could be accused of lacking heart in the 3-1 defeat to West Brom it may have been that they knew what was going on, that Hughton was on borrowed time.

 

Now their immediate fortunes will be overseen by Peter Beardsley, who is close to Ashley but not the players. Beardsley loves his trips to London for West End shows and now he is cast in the role of The Caretaker. It promises to be a short run.

 

The frontrunner to take over at Ashley’s Circus is Martin Jol, a decent enough option but hardly brimming with the experience and stellar appeal that might mollify a seething St James’ Park.

 

The problem with any manager of genuine substance like Martin O’Neill considering joining Newcastle is that Ashley wants to sell the club. Whoever goes for the Newcastle manager’s job knows that new owners could arrive in 2011 and want to install their own man. Applier beware. Whether Jol, O'Neill or Alan Pardew, whoever arrives would be advised to check the small print in an Ashley contract. Good luck - and make sure you buy a return ticket..

 

What is particularly inexplicable is that Hughton fitted Ashley’s template for being inexpensive in salary and budgetary requirements.

 

He blooded youngsters. He delivered promotion back to the Premier League and had the Toon punching above their weight, currently sitting 11th on 19 points. Five more wins and a couple of draws will probably secure their elite status.

 

Ashley’s people praised Hughton’s work in the team’s “transition” from Championship to Premier League. Transition? Miracle more like.

 

After years of instability, Newcastle actually seemed settled.

 

But then came Ashley, not just rocking the boat but overturning it in the Tyne. How naive. When a series of storms rolled towards St James’, Hughton handled them well. He has worked hard in trying to make Andy Carroll a better person as well as a better player. Hughton never whinged when Hatem Ben Arfa was incapacitated by Nigel de Jong. He just got on with it.

 

When injury and suspension deprived him of his first-choice centre-halves, Hughton just scrambled the ageing and the creaking, Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor, who performed wonders for him in taming Didier Drogba in the draw with Chelsea. They were given the runabout by Peter Odemwingie at The Hawthorns on Sunday but, in hindsight, it seemed the whole team were in mourning for something.

 

Make that someone. Hughton was well-liked in the dressing-room, where the players respected his unflappability despite losing his No 2 Colin Calderwood. People within the British game clearly felt Hughton and his coaching staff were doing a good job as Calderwood was head-hunted by Hibernian. Hughton will have no problem finding employment. West Ham could be available soon.

 

In public and private, Hughton has been the model of discretion. He is not a man to dwell on his role in triumphs, whether as a nimble, industrious full-back for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1984 Uefa Cup final or in lifting the Championship trophy.

 

He didn’t rush to bask in the limelight after such memorable victories this season at Everton and Arsenal or crow after such triumphs over Sunderland or Aston Villa. Hughton is too classy a man, too keen to praise the exertions of his players and too respectful towards vanquished opponents.

 

Hughton leaves with the ingratitude of the board but with the thanks and sympathy of the people who matter, the fans and players. On his way out of St James’, politely declining comment, Hughton could hold his head high.

 

Not Ashley, who was busy releasing a statement that took hypocrisy to new levels. He praised Hughton’s “exceptional character and commitment”, exactly the traits Ashley is bereft of. Hughton out, Ashley remains. English football has lost a principled man but kept a shameless chairman.

 

Sums it up doesent it?

[Thespence]

Winter could have filled out his Moat link a bit more:

 

Word is Gazza turned up at SJP yesterday with a can lager, some chicken, fishing rod & blanket shouting "Ashley it Gazza, Ashley...its Gazza!!!". Gazza said last night "I have known Ashley for years from me Spurs days, I could of stopped him pulling the trigger on Chris"

 

 

[Skirge]

Right then.... As much as I hate Ashley & his puppet Chairman and as much as I have nothing but respect for Hughton and think his sacking was so pointless & needless.

This is football these things go on, we never ever know the full truth its the same for any fan of any club. The sacking I think was always going to come, for Hughton it can be a way to  move on away from this club and further his career.

For us it can be an exciting time with a new manager being looked for, yes of course we would be completely stupid to have faith in Ashley getting it right but never the less its going to happen.

We could protest and sing our anti Ashley songs but as before it will have no effect on him but may have a genitive effect on the squad.

All we have to do is get behind the squad as we always do and give our new manager NO matter who our full support any other actions could only add to the harm that has been done so far.

[steve_69]

One of my lowest moments as a Newcastle fan was the day we replaced Bobby Robson with Graeme Souness. The moment it was confirmed I, and i'm sure many others, knew that failure, unrest and sad times were just around the corner. It made me sick to my stomach and a little bit of my love for the club died that day.

It's easy to say we should get behind the new manager no matter who it is but I can't and won't. Hughton was the best thing to happen to this club since Bobby Robson and if he is replaced by Pardew then i'm done with the club until Ashley leaves. This has Souness Mk11 written all over it.

 

[Pilko]

Brilliant article from Winter.

[Newcastle Fan]

Its almost as if it was like "wow we didn't have a major crisis in Newcastle in a long time, HIT THE PANIC BUTTON"

[cfcmagpies]

Its almost as if it was like "wow we didn't have a major crisis in Newcastle in a long time, HIT THE PANIC BUTTON"

 

Or like a kid playing Sim City, things are going well so unleash the monsters and fire up the earthquakes.

[Ketsbaia]

Sometimes sleep helps but today i feel just as angry, sad and bitter as yesterday. Hughton was exactly what Ashley wanted and he still gets rid? If Pardew comes in, then thats the end of us.

[Guest neesy111]

Chronicle Front Page for Today:

 

http://a.yfrog.com/img252/8319/gv8k.jpg

[GM]

Really starting to sink in this morning.

 

Brilliant article from Winter.

 

It is indeed.

 

Also thought this reader comment was particularly on the mark:

 

If you want to judge whether Ashley has class, take a trip to Lillywhites, now part of the Sports Direct empire.

 

It used to be a fantastic sports shop, an institution with the best range in London. It now resembles a jumble sale, barely room to move between the racks of polyester replica kit and remaindered Lonsdale shell suits. No doubt it is immensely profitable in its new guise.

 

Ashley treats NUFC with similar disdain. By his works, shall ye know him.

 

 

Seems it was just too much to expect Ashley & Co to simply say: "Thanks for the championship win, Chris. Thanks for saving our sorry arses after we screwed things up so badly with Keegan, Kinnear and then Shearer in the same season and got ourselves relegated. Thanks for building a team spirit the likes of which we haven't seen since Sir Bobby was here. Thanks for the amazing 5-1 win over Sunderland, the 6-0 win over Villa, the away victory against Arsenal at the Emirates. And thanks for doing all of this on a fraction of the salary of lesser talented managerial colleagues at other Premiership clubs. Here, rather than sacking you, we think we should treat you with some dignity and respect and give you the contract you deserve". A plague on all their houses.

 

Chris Hughton was just too classy an act for them.

[colinmk]

Brilliant article from Winter.

 

Yep, good article. Nothing sensational just facts.

[colinmk]

'The feeling within the club was that Ashley and his chairman Derek Llambias believed that Hughton – described by Campbell yesterday as a "lovely guy" – allowed himself to be dictated to by senior players. They regard O'Neill as the kind of character capable of taking on what is regarded as a strong dressing room. '

 

How can Ashley be so fucking stupid? It was only a strong dressing room because Hughton made them like that, built them up and brought them together. Now it's all fucked. Like Carver said about Sir Bobby, he took onboard players thoughts all the time. So would I if I was a manager.

[steve_69]

Ashley clearly wants a manager he can relate to ie. a man withot class, morals or a single thought for any other human being.

Chris Hughton had far too much intelligence, class and dignity for a man like Mike Ashley.

 

If he hadn't been here already I would've put my money on Souness. Ticks all the boxes

[Guest Loven11]

Dear Chris,

 

Thank you very much for the great service you put in at your time at the club. You sat and suffered the farce of a season 2 years ago and bided your time, doing your level best to try and turn the club around when called upon despite having hands undoubtedly tied.

 

You did an excellent job when you were given the job, and I will admit many were doubtful about your appointment as you looked like the cheap option. You are a true gentleman and handle yourself with great tact and professionally in all situations. Last season was just what the club needed and you built a great spirit in the squad.

 

Signed

 

The Fans

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A78022208

[Dave]

Comments from Nolan in the Sun btw.

[Skirge]

Comments from Nolan in the Sun btw.

 

Nolan made a statement with in the hour of SSN reporting the sacking.

[JH]

Chris was so dignified

By SHAUN CUSTIS

 

NEWCASTLE skipper Kevin Nolan has revealed how Chris Hughton left St James' Park with his head held high - dignified to the end.

 

Hughton was sacked as Toon boss and, typically, his first thought was for his players rather than himself.

 

As he prepared to leave the ground for the last time yesterday afternoon, Hughton bumped into club captain Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton in the reception area.

 

nd Nolan told SunSport how Hughton was determined that his team should carry on all the good work of the last 18 months.

 

Nolan declared: "Chris was gutted about what had happened. You could see that.

 

"But it said so much about him that, even though he was obviously disappointed to be going, he was still telling me and Joey that we had to make sure we had a good season.

 

"There was such a dignity about the way he left, which is how he conducted himself while he was the manager.

 

"We have not had the greatest run recently. But we are half-way up the table and he was very confident we would still do well and spoke about how he believed in us.

 

"He said goodbye to all the staff at the ground and plans to come back and see the rest of the players to wish them well."

 

Hughton did not get the chance to say his farewells to the whole squad as he did not know he was being axed until after training, when he was called into St James' to be given the bad news.

 

Nolan, as skipper, was summoned afterwards to be told officially of Hughton's dismissal.

 

He admitted: "We are all upset that Chris is going. He helped a lot of the lads here with their careers when he was a coach and then as manager.

 

"We will never forget our promotion from the Championship last season and we have to do what he told us. Stick together, make sure we keep the unity Chris has built up and get through this difficult period.

 

"It goes without saying we were shocked by the announcement. Sometimes at clubs, when a manager goes, there will be some players who are pleased to see the back of him, either because they are not in the team or they have a grudge against him.

 

"But everybody liked Chris. He was very popular, not just with the players but everyone who worked for the club."

 

Nolan's pal and recently capped England striker Andy Carroll went on his new Twitter site to admit he was 'stunned' by Hughton's departure.

 

However, he insisted it did not mean he would be leaving.

 

Many of the big boys, led by Chelsea, will see this as an opportunity to prise Carroll away from St James'.

 

Yet the big No 9 said: "I don't want to go anywhere. Newcastle is where I belong."

 

Hughton's former No 2 Colin Calderwood, who left to become Hibernian manager two months ago having read the tea leaves, admitted he was 'shocked' by Hughton's exit.

 

But he added: "Because of the regime Chris was working under, it made it difficult. You want to know the parameters of the job and they kept changing.

 

"When you aren't allowed to do what's feasible or logical, it becomes very difficult.

 

"The job was being done terrifically well and the position they are in is more than acceptable.

 

"But the way the league is makes them a little bit nervous when they look behind them.

 

"Yet had they won on Sunday, they would have been three or four points off Europe.

 

"You want to make decisions which affect the whole football club. But, in the end, it became more and more difficult to do that.

 

"Chris has handled it all with a lot of dignity. He's an incredibly nice, honest, decent and professional man. But what's forgotten is he's very, very good at his job.

 

"What we had was a terrific team spirit and there was a unique chance for a football club to balance the books to a certain degree and move forward with a bit of stability.

 

"I think they can't be forgiven for losing that chance.

 

"The foundation of the club could have been so much more secure, with a family environment and everyone trying to pull in the right direction, if they had stuck with Chris.

 

"I think they would have had some sort of discussions or some thought process about a replacement before they did this, otherwise it becomes even move stupid than it is at the minute."

 

It wasn't just those with Newcastle connections having a say.

 

England skipper Rio Ferdinand waded into the argument on Twitter: "Chris Hughton sacked. Is it April Fool's?"

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3263193/Kevin-Nolan-Chris-Hughton-was-dignified-to-the-end.html

[Guest Wally_McFool]

Ashley clearly wants a manager he can relate to ie. a man without class, morals or a single thought for any other human being.

 

 

That'll be JFK then!

[GM]

Ashley clearly wants a manager he can relate to ie. a man without class, morals or a single thought for any other human being.

 

 

That'll be JFK then!

 

Funny...I was thinking it could describe these guys better:

 

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYXDNltOQLJEE3_Pd4-0Gw8vTF96OAKBOXg53Dzn95auq71lDJhttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTF-K9iAmT3mvbF0GW9br7-SxZ-AtbvG3YcOS84Hg7cI-35UD9

[wormy]

That article says it all. Absolute classlessness from fucking Ashley. The man you consider a 'lovely guy', who saved your fucking club's ass, and your money, and got us promoted back to the Premiership, and is halfway to consolidating our position in said league. You don't even give him a chance to say his goodbyes, other than bumping into a couple of our players by chance? Fucking cunts.

 

WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED?? I was out drinking last night, I've come home to this. Un-fucking-real. Ashley better have a MASSIVE card up his sleeve. And I'm talking mind-blowing, to get out of this. Otherwise he'll never live this one down. People were giving him the second chance he deserves. Unless he gets someone credible in a couple days to prove he had someone lined up all along, this proves the man will never change.

 

Farewell Hughton, you'll always be welcome at St James' Park. You restored pride and dignity back into our club and our fans. It's just a shame you couldn't be treated with the same respect.

[wormy]

Ashley clearly wants a manager he can relate to ie. a man without class, morals or a single thought for any other human being.

 

 

That'll be JFK then!

 

Funny...I was thinking it could describe these guys better:

 

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYXDNltOQLJEE3_Pd4-0Gw8vTF96OAKBOXg53Dzn95auq71lDJhttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTF-K9iAmT3mvbF0GW9br7-SxZ-AtbvG3YcOS84Hg7cI-35UD9

 

Scarily, there's quite a few names, including all of those, that we could reel off. Too long a list, and he's probably stupid enough to give it to one of them.

[Ginola]

The only logic I can really think of as to why Hughton was sacked is that Ashley is going to give the manager some money to spend in January and would rather give it to someone other than Hughton, that has probably already been lined up. But then it's a lot more likely that there's no logic behind his decision and we'll be spending little to no money in January, which makes the former part of this post completely irrelevant.

[Keefaz]

What makes Ashley think he's qualified to judge who is up to the job? He knows fuck all about football or running a football club.  Fantasy football? The guy's a fucking loon, man.