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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/11853193/.html

 

 

Newcastle United's message is positive but fans have heard it before

Expenditure on players this summer is start of exciting new era for club, according to email sent to supporters by club's MD Lee Charnley

By Luke Edwards

10:59AM BST 09 Sep 2015

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Newcastle United’s managing director Lee Charnley sent an email to season ticket holders last week to boast about the £52.6m spent on new players this summer and to stress this is the start of an exciting new era for the club.

There was an acknowledgement of previous mistakes, an admittance the club needed to improve its communication. It was stressed that Newcastle want to win things and play in Europe; that owner Mike Ashley’s one overwhelming desire was to land a piece of silverware.

The email addressed all the main areas of concern. It ticked all the right boxes, but this is not the first time the man Ashley employs to run the club in his absence has moved to reassure disgruntled and disillusioned supporters with bold promises and pledges to change.

Newcastle told their supporters they want to win things, that they want to play in Europe and be successful in 2007, 2009 and again in 2012.

So why, until this summer, did they have have a “cup competitions are not priority” policy which meant they never played their strongest side in a knockout competition? Why did they view European football as a potentially dangerous distraction that could lead to relegation?

Charnley spoke emotively of the desire to bridge the divide that has grown between those who run the club and those who support it. He wants to repair the damage, but warned it would be a gradual process and supporters needed to be patient.

He stressed the need for fans to get behind the team and if they do so, the city will be rewarded with a successful football club that no longer sells its best players.

There is undoubtedly a sense things have changed for the better at St James’ Park after a third unnecessary relegation battle in the space of just six miserable years.

Newcastle have never spent more in a transfer window under Ashley than they did this summer. The calibre of player signed is encouraging, the club is no longer at war with itself, but it is only right we remain sceptical.

It is important to provide some historical context to a carefully scripted email that is ultimately just a new means of delivering an old message.

For all the talk of change, Charnley was singing from a familiar hymn sheet. The ambition to win a trophy has supposedly existed ever since Ashley took control of Newcastle in 2007, but the team have never been beyond the quarter-finals in a cup competition and have only reached that stage twice in eight years.

Whenever rebellion has been in the air on Tyneside, whenever supporters have begun to turn against him or question the point of merely trying to exist in the Premier League, the man Ashley employs to run the club in his absence, the man who makes sure the branding for his sports shop smothers St James’ Park, has delivered the same sort message.

It began under Chris Mort shortly after Ashley bought the club, continued under his successor as managing director Derek Llambias and has been picked up by Charnley.

However, it is only right supporters – and the media organisations who regurgitated Charnley’s words last week without questioning them – should be wary. History tells us Newcastle have said all the same things before and not kept their word.

If this is genuinely the start of a new era under Ashley, it must be stressed it is not the first time they have proclaimed one. Judge for yourself.

Chris Mort June 2007

“Everyone, the whole city, would have a huge party (if were we to win a trophy), just imagining it makes me smile. But all I can say is that we want to take the club forward and see how far we can go.

“Mike’s aware of it (the 38-year barren period) – there have been entire books written about it, I’ve read a few of them. We will both be big supporters of the club. If the club were to become successful, we would be delighted.”

Chris Mort August 2007

“The aim is to win that first trophy, of course… We want to have a team which is tough to beat and who other teams are wary of, but this is going to be a gradual process. Our ambitions are to take the club back into Europe, but this is just the first step forward.

Derek Llambias February 2009

“We freely admit we have made mistakes and we put our hands up. But now we’re in a position where Mike is back on board and we’re not selling the club. We apologise and I personally apologise for the miscommunication. We did not deliberately offend anyone…

“Stay with us. Be strong, this is an incredible club and we need you to be behind us. You can’t have it overnight, stay with your team. You’ve seen uglier football, stick with the team. We will get there.

“In five years’ time I would hope we would be challenging for everything….Mike isn’t afraid to spend money out of his own pocket…We aren’t a selling club, we’re a buying club.”

Derek Llambias March 2012

“We want to compete. The initial thing, the most important thing, is to stay in the Premier League. The aim was to go tenth or above this year, which we will achieve – we will over-achieve.

“Next year is eighth and Europe and we will continue with that. We would love to be in the Champions League because we could do with the extra £30million.

“We like to see things grow and we are not failures in life so I would like that. The manager would as well. Alan Pardew wants a trophy and if we do not give him a trophy by the end of that five years we are going to have to roll (his contract) forward! He would be a very unhappy bunny.”

 

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Guest antz1uk

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Newcastle United MD Lee Charnley: On the head coach search, January transfers and the future

20:32, 20 JAN 2015 UPDATED 11:29, 21 JAN 2015

BY MARK DOUGLAS

Newcastle United chief Lee Charnley says the club will communicate differently in the future - and the new head coach won't be a 'yes man'

 

Newcastle United MD Lee Charnley gave his first major interview on Tuesday. Here is what he had to say on the key issues affecting the club.

 

WHY IS IT TAKING TIME TO MAKE A DECISION?

Some people won’t believe this but the approach for Alan from Crystal Palace came as a surprise to us. We didn’t expect it. People have asked us whether – because of the way the second part of last season went and the way we started this season – we had a contingency plan in the background. We didn’t. I didn’t have a number of candidates/options in the background, which some clubs do have when a Manager has a difficult period. There was no deal already in place for someone we could bring in. His leaving at this time was unexpected.

 

During the difficult periods our focus was on supporting Alan. I hope people are starting to realise now that when we feel we have the right person in that position, indeed any position, our focus is on supporting them in order that together we can ride through the rough periods that, inevitably, come. Everything is not always going to be great or perfect but we think that as an organisation, one of our strengths is how we react and the support we give people when things aren’t going particularly well. The majority of which is private and behind the scenes which in my opinion is the way it should be.

 

People may well say that the position we now find ourselves in isn’t ideal and I accept that to a point, but as I have stated Alan’s departure came as a surprise. I must stress and repeat that we parted with Alan on very good terms and I would re-iterate the quote I issued at the time of his departure in that we moved on significantly as a club during his four years, on and off the field, and Alan played a big part in that and I thank him.

 

HAS THERE BEEN INTEREST IN THE ROLE?

We’ve had about 80 applications of people interested in the role. That’s people within football.

 

Clearly a number of those can be easily discounted but what has been left is a good number of individuals who have different qualities, experience and strengths – some of those are willing and available to come now, others not until the summer.

 

The important thing to stress here is that there is a process I have been working through the same as I would if I were looking for any other senior member of staff.

 

It’s not a case of someone getting the job because he’s a friend of a friend or he knows someone. It is a proper structured process which I believe will in the end give us the best individual for the job.

 

When we put the statement out when Alan left we chose our words very carefully in terms of what we would be looking for as a replacement. We are looking for a head coach - that will be his role – we’re moving away from the traditional manager, in terms of title and perception.

 

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN BY A HEAD COACH?

Our overall strategy and structure won’t change – we’re looking for someone who will work within our parameters and will buy into and work with us in terms of what we do and how we operate.

 

The traditional English manager who would want full control is not what I’m looking for - they don’t fit within our structure or strategy.

 

This isn’t something new but it’s a refinement of the role Alan (Pardew) had. It’s a greater clarity for whoever gets the job, in terms of what they do, what their role is and what they can speak to the media about.

 

That way everyone – players, supporters, media – are clearer. He’s the head coach, not a traditional manager. He doesn’t have the final say on transfers and doesn’t get involved in every aspect of the business. His job is coach the players and implement and oversee a philosophy that goes through the first team, the reserves and down through the Academy to improve the players and to ensure we get the best out of them.

 

WILL THEY HAVE A SAY ON TRANSFERS?

The new head coach will have to set out to us what his playing style is, what his philosophy is and what he looks for in his team because that then impacts on what we look for in terms of recruitment. It all works together.

 

The head coach picks the team. We don’t interfere in that. If the relationship works in the right way and everyone is going in the same direction and believes in our strategy and policy then there is no point in us buying a player that the head coach doesn’t want because he doesn’t play him and we don’t get the best out of our investment.

 

When someone says: ‘Does he have any say (in transfers)?’ Yes. Does he have the final say? No he doesn’t. There’s a difference there.

 

We hope it’s a happy marriage.

 

We want someone who sees the bigger picture because my thinking will always be medium to long-term. When people talk about what we’re going to do in this transfer window, I am looking at the next transfer window and the window after and what impact it will have on that. Are there better opportunities if we wait three or four months rather than committing now?

 

It’s trying to find that balance but also an individual in a head coach that trusts us. If we say ‘You aren’t going to get that now but you will in the summer’, it’s someone who is prepared to say ‘OK’ and trusts us to do that.

 

It’s also someone that for example, if we were to get an offer for a player that is at a value that we want to take, isn’t nervous about getting a replacement. There has to be a trust.

 

We want to make things better and improve things but sometimes our timelines might not meet. His requirements might be short-term but our view on some occasions may well be we’d rather wait because we can get better options and better value. Between me and the head coach and Graham, it’s a relationship that will have to develop. He will have to trust and believe in what we do.

 

IS THIS ANOTHER LONG-TERM MANAGER?

We see this as a long-term decision.

 

We’ve got a number of options: clearly my preference is to try and find someone to bring in now. However, because it will be a long-term commitment, if I have to wait until the summer for what I believe is the right individual then I would rather wait than actually take someone now who I think isn’t the best fit.

 

I’m not going to take someone who is free and available now if we have a better option and options by waiting until the end of the season. I know that won’t be an entirely popular point of view but for me that is the most sensible thing to do. It is about the medium to long term and ensuring we get the ‘right one’.

 

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO MAKING A DECISION?

I hope that by the end of this week I will have a better indication of where we sit.

 

I’ll know the really, really credible individuals who would be of real interest to us and from there, whether a decision can be made now or whether that decision can wait until the summer.

 

There’s a wide range of options. There are some people who genuinely can’t move now, whether that be for personal reasons, contractual or a whole host – they can’t come now.

 

There are some that can, whether they are tied to other clubs but have a compensation element involved or are out-of-work.

 

What I have done so far is go through them, with Graham’s input, and really refine the candidates. I needed to make sure those individuals understand what the role is, understand what is expected of them here, understand the pressures that come with this role and understand what their philosophy is and the culture they would create and develop here.

 

ARE YOU GOING TO END UP WITH A YES MAN?

I’m confident at the end of this process the individual will be best suited for what we’re looking for and can work within the structure we have. I don’t think anything works and you’re never going to move forward if you have ‘yes’ people in key positions.

 

I know people label me as someone who says yes all the time but believe me, if I said yes to everything suggested I wouldn’t last very long. It doesn’t work that way. They have to challenge me, I have to challenge Mike over things – that is how management works. That’s what I expect from all of my heads of department.

 

But do I want someone in who will continually try to change our strategy or put obstacles in our way? Clearly not. They will have to aligned with what we are doing.

 

WHAT KIND OF CANDIDATES ARE NEWCASTLE LOOKING AT?

I know that the individual who comes in will be credible and best suited for this role.

 

First and foremost, they have to be a good coach and with a track record of developing players and giving young players a chance is important.

 

For me, style of play is important. How they conduct themselves is also important as the head coach will play a key part in how the club is perceived through his conduct on and off the field.

 

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW?

I saw the stuff Gary Lineker tweeted saying we’re hanging back from appointing a head coach so we don’t have to sign anyone which isn’t correct. Are we delaying to get through the January window? Absolutely not.

 

In all honesty, the January window is not one we ever envisaged being particularly active in. That’s partly because of the amount of business we did in the summer but also because. January is a difficult market to operate in. There are very few options whereby a club can achieve the quality required and also get value. There is often a reason as to why a player might be available in January.

 

We were forced to bring players in a couple of years ago in January because of where we were in the league and some of those transactions we brought forward from the following summer at significant cost. As a general principle, January’s not an attractive window.

 

Another important thing to note and something often not mentioned is Premier League teams are only allowed to name 25 players – we’re currently at 25.

 

WILL YOU SELL ANYONE?

I would never, ever rule out selling anyone because the worst thing I could do is over-promise and under-deliver. You will never, ever get me saying never but I would say we’re very difficult sellers. We make it very difficult for people to get our players. We put them on long-term contracts. We are not easy sellers, despite that perception.

 

As we sit here today I can’t envisage any player we want to retain leaving.

 

ON CHANGING THE WAY THE CLUB COMMUNICATES:

I think we do communicate but we need to find a better way to communicate.

 

Our view was that Alan was the one who was front and centre and will take all of the questions on all areas of the club. Alan was then left, sometimes, in a difficult position answering questions that he probably wasn’t best suited to answer.

 

This is an opportunity for us with a new head coach coming in – there’s more clarity about his role and what he does. His role is coaching and that’s what he can talk about.

 

If that’s the case it’s only right that I then support him in terms of the messaging going out. If I’m saying ‘Only talk about team selection and the games’ there needs to be another voice.

 

I think the information has been out there, through the fan’s forum and through the statements, but it’s how we get it out there that needs to improve.

 

WILL YOU BE TAKING A MORE PROMINENT ROLE PERSONALLY?

I’m not someone who courts the media or has relationships with journalists giving them on or off-the-record information about players or any other elements of club business. I want to go about our or my business quietly and professionally. That’s where I want to be.

 

I do however accept we need to look at how we communicate and I think if we do that it will certainly help on lots of different levels.

 

Contrary to popular belief we don’t disregard people’s views – however our intention and focus and what we always aim to do is make decisions that we feel are in the best interests for the football club. They won’t always be popular and won’t always be liked but we make them for what we believe are the right reasons.

 

HAS GRAHAM CARR’S ROLE CHANGED?

On the football side we look at it as a triangle. That’s me, the head coach and Graham.

 

Graham’s role won’t change. In terms of this process he will be heavily involved and will support me with his knowledge, his feedback and his contacts to get some background information on the people we’re speaking to. This will support other research and feedback we have sought and will seek on our preferred candidates. It’s a joined-up process we’re in.

 

Clearly he will continue to be an important part of what we do in order to move forward on the field and his relationship with the head coach is something that needs to be strong.

 

IS MIKE ASHLEY GOING TO SELL UP AND BUY RANGERS?

There is nothing to say on this other than to repeat what we said in the statement in September - I’d refer everyone to that.

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tmonkey

tmonkey

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I like the "little" in the thread title. The title makes me think of a mouse for some reason :D

 

Little = mouse = Danger Mouse = Penfold.

 

http://statici.behindthevoiceactors.com/behindthevoiceactors/_img/chars/char_24468.jpg

 

 

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TBG

TBG

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Dear ,

 

We made a pledge to communicate more effectively with you and when we did so, we were aware this must be the case through thick and thin, in the bad times as well as the good.  That is why it is important I write to you now, when things are tough and many of you will be feeling frustrated with recent results.

 

You deserve to know what we are thinking and what we are doing to address our current situation, to arrest this poor run of form and turn things around for our club.

 

There is no hiding from the fact that this has been a very disappointing start to our Premier League campaign, and a painful early exit from a cup competition that we were determined to give everything in this year. We apologiseto you for this. 

 

After six league games the truth is we have not achieved the points that any of us had hoped and expected we would do. 

 

None of us can, or will, shirk the responsibility for this situation.  Now is the time for collective action, and for us to find solutions to the problems rather than allow ourselves to be consumed by them. 

 

It is important to state that we bear collective responsibility for our position in the table.  Identifying the problems in order to find the solutions is crucial, but we are not in the business of apportioning blame.  We are a team, from the boardroom to the boot room, and we will respond like one.

 

So we have sat down as a collective – myself with Steve and his coaching team, and Steve with his players – to discuss the concerns and to look for the solutions together.   

 

Whilst we are all unhappy, we must not panic or make rash decisions. We should not forget we are still relatively early into the season with lots of games to go and points to play for.  Whilst you may be tired of hearing this, I believe, as we have said from the start, all of this rebuilding and reshaping isn’t something that can happen overnight; it will take time to see the benefit of the changes we made during the summer. 

 

I will repeat what I have said on a number of occasions before - I have complete faith that what Steve and his team are implementing will give us the best possible chance of success as a club.

 

We firmly believe there is the quality we need within this group of players, however we all know that what has to improve are the results, which will then breed belief and confidence.  As you would expect, Steve and his staff are working very hard both collectively and individually to reproduce and improve on all the qualities we saw in the performances against Southampton, Manchester United and Arsenal.

 

We recognise that you will be frustrated and of course, as people who invest heavily – financially and emotionally – in this club, you have the right to express your dissatisfaction at the results, as you have done on recent matchdays. We deserved that criticism and reaction.  But you can also play a huge part in helping the players to fight their way out of our current predicament.

 

We regularly talk about the importance of confidence and the momentum that a single victory can bear in turning around the fortunes of a team.  To turn things around our players need to be brave – brave on the ball, demand the ball, and attack with courage and conviction, without fear.  I hope those of you attending on Saturday, and at future games, home or away, will really get behind the team and help give them the confidence to play and express themselves the way we know they can. 

 

We don’t have the time nor the inclination to feel sorry for ourselves. That would not serve us well.  We are all in this together and we will get out of it together as a team.  We view you, our supporters, as an important part of that team.  Now is the time to show determination, resilience and fight and together, over the coming weeks, change the course of this season for the better.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

 

Lee Charnley

 

Managing Director

 

Fuck off

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