It's Allardyce! (according to THE SUN!)

[GM]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2007200395,00.html

 

May 14th is Toon day

 

By STEVE BRENNER

May 03, 2007

 

SAM ALLARDYCE is set to become Newcastle boss by May 14 — just hours after the curtain falls on the Premiership season.

 

Big Sam is in line to replace Glenn Roeder but under the terms of his exit from Bolton, he is not allowed to get a new job until the campaign has finished.

 

But as soon as the final whistle blows on Sunday May 13, Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd will swoop for Allardyce and stop Manchester City scuppering his plans.

 

That all spells bad news for Roeder, who is heading towards the St James’ Park exit door after failing to convince Shepherd he is the man to revive Tyneside’s fortunes.

 

Allardyce is seen by Toon officials as the figurehead the club needs to make inroads into the top four.

 

And with bitter rivals Sunderland revitalised under the inspirational Roy Keane, Shepherd is fretting at the prospect of the Black Cats becoming the North East’s biggest club.

 

Shepherd is wary of Roeder blowing all the summer transfer budget and is keen to talk to Allardyce, who jetted off on holiday last night.

 

A Toon source admitted: “Freddy isn’t being very forthcoming about Glenn’s future or any potential transfer budget and admits Sam’s availability has changed things.

 

“Something could be happening very soon.”

 

Newcastle’s lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Reading on Monday did not do Roeder’s cause any favours. And it looks likely that not even a rousing finale in the final two games against Blackburn and Watford can save his skin.

 

Roeder, 51, has endured a shocking run of injuries this season, with £16million Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi only just returning from long-term lay-offs.

 

*

But his failure to take a team forward that includes Kieron Dyer, Oba Martins, Scott Parker and Nicky Butt has set alarm bells ringing.

 

Newcastle crashed out of the UEFA Cup’s last 16 against AZ Alkmaar and will probably finish outside the top half of Premiership.

 

Shepherd was close to appointing Allardyce three years ago after Bobby Robson was sacked but failed to land him after he refused to leave Bolton in the lurch.

 

The latest developments have still not stopped Roeder planning for next season, although a move for his top target Sol Campbell has been laughed off.

 

Roeder wants to sign an experienced central defender with Portsmouth’s former England stalwart Campbell leading his list of names.

 

Campbell, 32, has one year left on his Fratton Park deal.

 

But Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: “Newcastle haven’t got a chance of having Sol Campbell — not a prayer.

 

“They spoke to him last summer when he left Arsenal but we got him and we’ll be keeping him.”

 

Well that should sell a few more papers for Murdoch up here...bag of shite, it's nailed on he'll end up going to Manchester City.

 

[Wullie]

Christ.

[Beren]

The title should really be appended with ' ~ The Sun'

[Baggio]

I fucking hope so.

 

If it isn't true then surely Shepherd will have to come out and deny it.

[Guest MagicNumber9]

i stopped reading here - "....Black Cats becoming the North East’s biggest club"

[Baggio]

Newcastle are focusing fully on Allardyce after poor Roeder run

 

 

Michael Walker

Thursday May 3, 2007

The Guardian

 

 

Sam Allardyce has moved to the centre of Newcastle United's radar four days after leaving Bolton Wanderers and three days after Newcastle's lacklustre defeat at Reading. That was their 12th away loss in the Premiership this season and their 16th defeat overall. It leaves the club unable to finish higher than 12th and their chairman, Freddy Shepherd, was grim-faced as he watched from the stands on Monday night.

Allied to the meek exit in the Uefa Cup at Alkmaar in March, league form has caused increasing dissatisfaction on Tyneside and there is believed to be tension between the manager, Glenn Roeder, and the boardroom. Newcastle have taken only six points from the last 27 in the Premiership, scoring just three times in those nine Premiership matches, none at St James' Park since February 10.

 

Should Allardyce turn up at St James' Park, Bolton would pursue Newcastle for compensation. It is said the former Bolton manager has a get-out clause in his contract that is time-sensitive and that may prove a sticking point.

Allardyce travelled to Spain for a holiday yesterday but the location hardly precludes discussions with anyone, including Newcastle. The two parties have been here before, after Sir Bobby Robson left and at the time of Graeme Souness's dismissal. Both of those departures occurred during the season and while there was no furore on Tyneside about the legitimacy of either sacking, there was annoyance about the timing.

 

These are decisions that continue to rankle and Shepherd is aware of the accusation about bad planning. If, as seems apparent, the board has decided Roeder is not the man to take the club forward, then Shepherd will wish to give his successor a full summer's preparation for next season, plus control of transfer policy.

 

 

[bulivye]

"Newcastle have taken only six points from the last 27 in the Premiership, scoring just three times in those nine Premiership matches..."

 

 

ugh!  that's depressing. :brushteeth:

 

 

 

 

[80]

It would be the most sensibly-timed sacking since... Christ knows when. Imagine, a full pre-season for a new manager to prepare.

[Guest SLK]

It would be the most sensibly-timed sacking since... Christ knows when. Imagine, a full pre-season for a new manager to prepare.

That's why Liverpool has moved forward while NUFC marched backwards...I agree...Gerrard Houllier was removed just after the season was over while Robson removal came 4 games after the season started...The rest is history and everyone can see where Livperpool and NUFC are now when both teams were almost equal before the removal of their respective managers...

[chicago_shearer]

But Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: ?Newcastle haven?t got a chance of having Sol Campbell ? not a prayer.

 

?They spoke to him last summer when he left Arsenal but we got him and we?ll be keeping him.?

 

Why does Redknapp hate us so much?

[Guest JamesD]

But Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: ?Newcastle haven?t got a chance of having Sol Campbell ? not a prayer.

 

?They spoke to him last summer when he left Arsenal but we got him and we?ll be keeping him.?

 

Why does Redknapp hate us so much?

bad blood between him and roeder.

also, i find it interesting that he says that we did approach campbell in the summer.

[Raconteur]

Soccernet seem to be jumping on the Allardyce for the Toon bandwagon too:

 

The reasons for Sam Allardyce's unexpected departure from Bolton Wanderers can probably be tracked back to his failure to emerge as a serious candidate for the England job last summer.

 

Though Allardyce was interviewed by the powerbrokers at Soho Square few believed they would have the backbone to give such a character the chance to lead the national side.

 

That the man chosen to lead the England team has predictably turned out to be a monumental failure must irk Allardyce even more. Bar a fortuitous run to the UEFA Cup final, Steve McClaren's achievements in management were negligible compared to a man who transformed a club of similar size to Middlesbrough on a fraction of the budget.

 

If Allardyce is to be considered in the future he must prove himself at another club, showing that he is no one-trick pony.

 

He probably looked at Alan Curbishley's extended stay at Charlton and decided not to fall into the same trap of comfort and familiarity.

 

Added to that, he still has to break free from the shackles of Panorama's clumsy hatchet job/ investigation into alleged bungs which did nothing more than throw around lazy innuendo and suggestion. But mud sticks and despite expected exoneration from the Quest Report sadly for Sam it is unlikely to stop some believing there is no smoke without fire.

 

So where next for Allardyce? Fulham, Manchester City and Newcastle United are the suggested destinations so far, but it is a list which will surely grow. And Allardyce must choose his next challenge wisely.

 

There was never a hope of taking Bolton onto the 'next level', partly due to the financial constraints imposed by chairman Phil Gartside and the attraction of playing for a club the size of Bolton for the world's top players.

 

Granted, the purse-strings were loosened last summer when Allardyce was allowed to first chase Andy Johnson and then sign Nicolas Anelka. But other than that he has been forced to scratch around for budget gems such as Iranian international Andranik Teymourian.

 

Bolton, of course, find themselves at a crossroads. In promoting Sammy Lee they are placing a great deal of faith in a man who has never managed a team, let alone one which stands fifth in the Premiership and in need of results to avoid a late slump out of the UEFA Cup places.

 

Lee had been Allardyce's right-hand man for less than two years after replacing the management-bound Phil Brown in June 2005. Lee left Sven Goran Eriksson's coaching staff to head for Lancashire and he also spent 11 years in the backroom staff at Liverpool.

 

The transition from coach to manager is rarely successful. Charlton can testify to that only too readily after their disastrous flirtation with former FA development officer Les Reed who, you may recall, was the man who fielded all the media's tactical questions during Kevin Keegan's inglorious England reign. That in itself should tell its own story.

 

Much of Allardyce's success was based on his mastery in the transfer market, a skill which Lee is going to have to learn from scratch and learn fast. Equally, much will depend on the club's ability to hold on to their better players.

 

When Allardyce does resurface, it's likely he will covet the likes of Kevin Nolan - an industrious midfielder who earned the captain's armband - as well as Anelka, Tal Ben Haim and Jussi Jaaskelainen.

 

Allardyce is never going to be in the running for a job at one of the top four clubs. While he is respected he doesn't quite possess the X-Factor that Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea would look for.

 

While Fulham understandably have been linked with the 52-year-old a move to Craven Cottage would be no more than a sideways step, perhaps even a backwards step. Fulham's best finish in their history is ninth - a position which Bolton have grown to consider mediocre under Allardyce. Added to that, Mohamed Fayed has long since locked up the vault to his millions as far as football is concerned.

 

It also remains far from certain Fulham will be a Premiership club next season, and even if they do avoid the drop the signs are there for a desperate struggle in 2007/08.

 

Far more interesting are the stories connecting the former Limerick, Blackpool and Notts County boss with Manchester City and Newcastle United. While both clubs still have managers of their own neither Stuart Pearce nor Glenn Roeder can claim to be in a comfortable position.

 

Pearce, manager of a City side which has not scored at home since New Year's Day and entertains champions-elect United in the Manchester derby on Saturday, was reportedly just a couple of matches from the sack earlier this season before he managed to get enough points together to keep the wolves from the door.

 

But with City ripe for a takeover and an increasing number of investors showing their hand it's uncertain whether the new owners will want the former England international at the helm.

 

However, former Primer Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly moved into pole position and he is believed to be supportive of Pearce.

 

Allardyce's link to City has come largely from his supposed-association with Ray Ranson's bid to take charge at the City of Manchester Stadium - though sources close to Ranson have distanced him from Allardyce. Nevertheless, Rason's bid expected to be dismissed in favour of Shinawatra's.

 

In City, Allardyce would join a club capable of pushing on, but only with the right investment and support from the board. City have had a loyal fanbase but their 47,726 capacity stadium has often had swathes of empty seats - they average under 40,000 which is understandable considering the brand of football on show. Even the perpetually disgraced Joey Barton has stated he would not pay to watch City play.

 

With a warchest from a new owner and the right management, in time City could push into the top five and follow Everton and Tottenham in challenging the status quo for a place in the Champions League. But there are many ifs and buts.

 

Allardyce's link to City was certainly not universal across the newspapers in England, with many opting to punt Allardyce as the natural successor to Roeder at Newcastle.

 

After being promoted from caretaker, Roeder has never looked comfortable in a role which has traditionally, in recent times at least, gone to high profile managers. Roeder is not in the same league as Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness.

 

Newcastle have always been one of the truly untapped clubs, almost always selling out their 52,387-capacity home. Souness was alone afforded £52million to spend on fresh blood, and Roeder forked out £15million on just two players last summer. Most Premiership bosses could only dream of such a kitty.

 

What may count against Allardyce is his decision to snub the job when Newcastle came calling prior to the appointment of Souness. Chairman Freddy Shepherd is known to be a man who does not taken rejection well and Allardyce will have to convince him it was done with the best intentions.

 

Newcastle, however, are going to have to swallow their pride if they want a manager who is truly capable of changing things at St James' Park. The club as a whole will need an overhaul and Allardyce has already proved he can shake things up from top to bottom. Newcastle are a club in which failure and underachievement go hand-in-hand.

 

They seem some way from earning another shot at Champions League football after qualifying for the tournament in back-to-back seasons under Sir Bobby.

 

However, the task on the pitch at St James' is perhaps less intensive that an Man City. Whereas City have a squad which is full of holes, made worse by the fact Barton now seems certain to be on his way in the summer, Newcastle at least have some quality players.

 

In Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins they have one of the best strikeforces in the division, while midfield talent including Emre, Damien Duff, Kieron Dyer, Nolberto Solano, Scott Parker and James Milner will give most teams a problem when employed in the correct system.

 

It makes it all the more galling that Newcastle are still on just 42 points with 36 games played.

 

Newcastle's Achilles heel has often been at the back and while it may come as a surprise to learn they have a better defensive record than Bolton this term.

 

The Newcastle squad needs investment and astute management. Magpies fans have come to know only too well that one without the other does not necessarily work. Allardyce should fit the bill perfectly.

 

Expectation levels at St James' will clearly be greatly inflated from what Allardyce is used to. Controlling the emotions of a rabid supporter base is one skill he may have to learn.

 

Though no-one will admit as much, football club boards are always more likely to pull the trigger quickly should a quality manager be on the market. While it would still be a surprise if Roeder was ousted in the summer, a poor start to next season and it won't take long for the P45 to land on Roeder's desk.

 

Shepherd has a track record of sacking managers before the end of August. Sir Bobby, Ruud Gullit and Kenny Dalglish were all given the boot just a couple of weeks into the season and only a stirring beginning to 2007/08 is likely to save Roeder from the same fate.

 

It seems a good bet that Allardyce will be in place before the transfer window closes in less that four months' time.

 

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=426923&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=3436

[Thespence]

All the other papers are following the Daily Express because Bill Bradshaw said it was going to happen & this guy is good mates with Fred Shep

[magorific]

All the other papers are following the Daily Express because Bill Bradshaw said it was going to happen & this guy is good mates with Fred Shep

 

He likes to think so.

[Skirge]

Big Sam rumour will not go away

May 3 2007

By Luke Edwards, The Journal

 

Sam Allardyce was being heavily touted as the new manager of Newcastle United last night despite continued denials from chairman Freddie Shepherd that he is looking to replace Glenn Roeder.

 

Allardyce resigned as Bolton manager on Monday and has been the subject of frenzied speculation linking him with both Manchester City and Newcastle this week. Roeder insisted after the 1-0 loss at Reading - United's 16th in the league, equalling their highest number of defeats since their promotion to the Premiership in 1993 - he was not worried about the sack, but rumours remain rife that he is close to the chop.

 

Newcastle, though, have consistently denied Roeder's job is on line, although the pressure on him is increasing the whole time - a situation not helped by another poor result at the Madejski Stadium on Monday night.

 

Those close to Roeder have claimed Newcastle's manager has been told his job is safe and that plans are already under way for a summer rebuilding project, but the Allardyce speculation is undoubtedly unsettling for him.

 

Allardyce was also linked with the position before Graeme Souness was appointed Sir Bobby Robson's successor in 2004, although Shepherd insisted he had given the fans their choice as manager when he gave Roeder the job last summer after a successful spell as caretaker boss.

 

Meanwhile, Nolberto Solano has revealed his plan to end his career with Argentinean giants Boca Juniors after one final year at Newcastle United.

 

Solano has made an easy transition from right winger to full-back under Glenn Roeder and is still part of Newcastle's plans for next season. But the popular Peruvian, who has managed to avoid the criticism that has dogged many of his team-mates in recent weeks, is already thinking ahead and is keen to get a move back to Argentina. Former United manager Kenny Dalglish paid £2.5m to bring Solano over from Boca Juniors in 1998 and the 32-year-old wants to return.

 

He said: "I'm enthusiastic at the possibility of returning to Boca because I spent just a few months there and I had the bad taste of not having won anything in two seasons.

 

"Football offers me another chance and I'd like to return. My contract ends in 2008 and I'd like to go back to Argentina. The Boca fans are unique. I love Boca. I'd like to go back to Argentina because I love everything there: the passion, the football and the food."

 

While Solano is keen to return to South America after nine successful years in England, he is unlikely to play again for his country. Solano is the most popular player in Peru and has been capped 70 times, but he is not part of new coach Julio Cesar Uribe's plans.

 

He added: "If the coach (Julio Cesar Uribe) has not named me yet in this new era he started, it is because he doesn't consider me in his plans. I will not play in the Copa America."

[geordie jamie]

I think their is some truth in this, mainly because Fat Fred has not denied these rumours unlike the SGE was linked with the job.

[ATB]

I really want Sam to this club. I belive he is the right guy to take us to top 6 at least. The quote "although Shepherd insisted he had given the fans their choice as manager" just freak me out and I start remeber how much I hate Shepherd too!

 

Do something right for once Freddy! Sack Roeder and hire Sam Allardyce!

[junkhead]

nice

[BONTEMPI]

You wait by noon today it will have been quashed by the club!

 

This might be a journo taking a gamble, but you never know

[Cronky]

I think we'll see in the next two games where the players all stand on this. If they want a change from Roeder, we can expect some half-hearted performances. If they want him to stay, they'll put in the effort.

 

Judging from the Reading game, things don't look good for Roeder.

[James]

I think today is an important day, if there is no denial, Shepherd must be strongly contemplating this.

[NUFC06]

Shepherd has the chance to make it right this time

His man is available and the situation is different with the one when he appointed Souness and Roeder

If he dont bring Allardyce here and Roeder fails next season(which is what is going to happen)then there is going to be enormous pressure on the fat pig.

He must act and bring his man here.

After the game at Watfor sack the clown Roeder and bring true Premiership manager=Sam Allardyce

Then sign Campbell and Hyypia before the start of the season and we are back on track to the top 4 place O0

Ah...Dreams

[biggs]

just waiting for tonights ronny gill "  talk of allardyce coming to newcastle are well wide of the mark and roeder will be in charge next season with a new squad fighting on 3 fronts for honours ".

all this talk will put pressure on the fat one and he will either keep his mouth shut or deny it .two bad results

especially the blackburn game and the crowd showing there feelings could be the turning point imho

[ATB]

Exactly biggs!

 

Show him (Fat Fred) who the real "fans choise" is!

 

OUT Roeder! IN Sam!

[BottledDog]

Exactly biggs!

 

Show him (Fat Fred) who the real "fans choise" is!

 

OUT Roeder! IN Sam!

 

Bollocks. Speak only for yourself please.