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News, Views and Comment On Newcastle United Football Club By Ed Harrison, A Proud Geordie And Lifelong Fan

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Why Newcastle Fans Must Support New Manager

January 11th, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 240 Comments

There’s one thing we just have to put out sooner rather than later and now is a good time, and it’s very important because it’s a message to all the tremendous Newcastle fans out there.

mike-ashley-987.jpg

Mike Ashley - determined to make Newcastle great again

And it’s even before a new manager is appointed at our club, which is perfect timing.

We need to give the new manager our full support, whoever he turns out to be.

We all presumably want Newcastle United to become a force in the English Premier League and eventually a football force in Europe. The next manager at the club will be the 7th new manager since Kevin Keegan left the club in January, 1997. So it will be 7 managers in a short 11 years with absolute no success whatsoever to show for it.

The managers in order have been Kenny Dalgish, Ruud Gullit, Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce. Everyone of those managers excited us (we’re talking about us on this web-site - we’re certainly not speaking for all Newcastle fans) when they were appointed - apart from Souness (to be brutally honest about Graeme). :D

Dalglish had a wonderful track record, Gullit would bring sexy football to the club and had already been successful at Chelsea, Bobby Robson was born to manage the club, Roeder had a great start dragging Newcastle up to 7th place in the league in 2006, and Sam had a great record of getting the very best out of his players and could surely get the best out of the decent Newcastle squad.

It does look like our new manager will be Harry Redknapp, and we’re already seeing the cries of NO from some of our fans.

The question we have for those Newcastle fans is the following:

Is it more important for you to be right about how Harry will do at Newcastle – or do you want Newcastle to be successful – which is the more important?

We don’t care less if we are wrong about a Newcastle manager, as long as they are successful and we’ve had precious little success or stability at the club since Kevin left 11 years ago.

We would have been very happy if Souness had brought success to the club and it even looked like it when he put together an unbeaten streak of 12 games with 9 wins in 2005. That was just before the Dyer Bowyer punch-up on April 2nd, 2005, when Aston Villa beat us 3-0 at St. James’ Park to end the streak.

Bobby Robson was the sole manager of those 6 who had any kind of success, and he had us in 4th, 3rd and 5th place in successive seasons, but not even that was good enough to keep his job and he was sacked by Freddy Shepherd in late August, 2004.

We think Bobby Robson was a dream manager and we just loved it when he was at our club. It was a real privilege to have the great man as our manager for 5 years.

We don’t particularly care who the next manager is – but obviously we’d like him to be good and with a good previous record. But our point is that we’ll support him 100% for the good of our club.

Why is that? Because having Newcastle United successful means more to us than our opinions on any new manager.

We’d like our fans to get behind the new manager, from the very start, whoever he turns out to be.

Let’s start to take this club where it belongs – to the very top. Let’s all start pulling in the same direction and put an end to the name of Newcastle United becoming a laughing stock in the press.

Howay the Lads!

Tags: Newcastle News










240 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 20:59

    We’ve always backed the manager at the start, but when we can see that it’s not working out and the club are not moving forward, much like Big Sam’s reign, then we want rid.

  • 2 Beardsley's Love Child // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:02

    Define Successful….

    Europe right away?

    Attacking football?

    Loadsagoals?

    High W to L ratio?

    Rolling in Cash/ Making a profit?

    Attracting big names…

    Before we start setting expectations we need to identify what our expectations are

  • 3 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:07

    When Managers come to clubs where the fans are so against them from the start, there is only one way it ends regardless of the Manager’s ability. He got 3% of the poll vote for a reason. He doesn’t understand or care about the Newcastle ethos. He just wants a fat pay day before retirement back down south.

    Ed - I do agree with your sentiments and will reluctantly watch the games and hope he does well. But I see a Sam repeat here.

    Mike Ashley has every right to pick whoever he wants. They do say failure in your decision making makes you stronger. So I hope he learns from it and appoints a better man next time.

  • 4 nightfall // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:08

    mourinho needs a challenge and newcastle, one of the biggest clubs haven’t won anything for a looooong time…plus we have money now and an amitious man with a plan… and there’s also jose - bobby connection…and i’m also sure jose wants to settle the score with roman :)

    forget harry

  • 5 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:12

    Because they are sheep.

  • 6 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:12

    B-eeeeeeeeee-ehh
    :D :D :D

  • 7 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:13

    jose would love to payback abramovich, and the toon would be his weapon,
    im dreaming of course

  • 8 Ausgeordie // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:15

    I want us playing attacking football, scoring goals, keeping clean sheets occasionally, finishing in a spot for Uefa, playing our boys in their natural positions and making smart transfers. We all scoffed at Sibierski but we all stopped when he put away some good goals. Big names will not come but we can find good players to help improve the team and if we improve obviously we become more attractive.
    I for one hope it is not harry. Ive been cheering for Hiddink but either way I hope its sorted soon.

  • 9 thelongshanks // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:16

    I agree we definately have to back the manager.But i really cant wait to see newcastle attacking again.Milner and nzogbia on the wings emre in the centre and owen and martins will thrive on that.i think our defence is solid enough but when you are not attacking you are defending and it was constant pressure from the start.

    Hope mort stills igning the youngsters even though we are managerless.That kadar chap is suppose to be the s*it!!!!

  • 10 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:17

    ………….unless it’s harry in which case boo him.

  • 11 UTD111 // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:18

    Good article Ed. Basically the way I see it is……Mike Ashley owns NUFC, lock stock and barrell. Mike Ashley is an extremely successful and ruthless businessman. You can’t be extremeley successful in business without making the right decisions - including knowing how to find and appoint the right managers for your business. Mike Ashley is a winner and will find and appoint the right manager and give him the funds to take us to the top. Is it too much to expect the fans to support both Mike and his chosen Manager ???

  • 12 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:18

    Yes, Redknapp is the man to bring attacking football to SJP….I mean Portsmouth haven’t scored a home goal for 3 months. Can’t wait for that. Really excited. Thanks Mike.

  • 13 kagthemag // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:19

    On talk sport earlier that shearer has stated that he would accept the job if offered. I think that’s a win - win for everyone! Money spinner for ashley & mort, and the fans would hopefully enjoy the dream team of kk & Super al!

  • 14 Michael // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:20

    I strongly disagree that every manager that’s been appointed excited us. Almost everyone I know could see that Roeder wasn’t capable, everybody in the world except Freddy could see that souness was wrong, and I would say at least half of the fans predicted Sam’s negative style.

    The appointment of Redknapp will disappoint me greatly, because he doesn’t seem like much of a step up from our last few managers. That’s not to say I won’t back him. But I think it’s really time that we went all out for a big name attacking manager along the lines of Scolari or Van Gaal.

  • 15 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:20

    and now milan mandoric is saying he expects harry to go. FU****G BRILLIANT.!

  • 16 aaron // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:21

    first!

  • 17 Ed Harrison // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:21

    Michael - us was meant to be us - here on this web site - not all the Newcastle fans.

  • 18 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:22

    What they should do at Old Trafford is read out possible manager names and we cheer for the ones we want and boo the ones we dont. Then Mike will hopefully listen.

    Utd111 - I agree with you. As much as I’m against Redknapp, I completely believe that Ashley is determined to bring success to Newcastle, and even if we disagree with his decision, we should support it. Afterall, we don’t want to piss him off otherwise he’ll go and sell us to a bunch of Chinese businessmen that will strip the club apart.

  • 19 toon sooth // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:22

    well said Edd, I agree that we should all get behind the club because together we can look forward to a fresh start after all the turmoil over the past few years. bring on the new manager,whoever he is.

  • 20 billygee // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:22

    This is Mr Ashley’s first choice in a manager and the guy isn’t stupid. I think he has picked a good manager in Harry (if he comes) and Harry won’t be coming for the money. He has a good football brain and will do well here.

  • 21 jhholda // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:22

    What defines success? How about we win the games that we are supposed to win and are competitive in the others. How about not embarrassing ourselves. I would be happy with that for a start.

    I don’t get hiring Redknapp. It seems like no one is for his signing. I realize that Jose may be a dream but shouldn’t we be looking to better ourselves as a team? I keep reading how when this is all said and done, we will be excited. Harry does not excite me. Harry with a lot of money to get more players does not excite me. It seems like we are just looking to get by instead of looking to move forward.

    I’m not sold that come next week with the hiring of Harry we will start wining the games that we are supposed to win, be competitive in the rest and stop embarrassing ourselves.

    No matter what happens, I’ll still support the team, I’ll still get up at dawn to watch the games (I’m in the US), and I’ll still be defending Newcastle from/against all my Man U friends.

    Howay the Lads!!

  • 22 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:24

    According to the great Sky Sports News sources, Shearer will accept the job if offered. Probably the same sources that said Redknapp was flying in a private jet to Newcastle.

  • 23 Ed Harrison // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:25

    To all of the people with the negative comments above on Harry Redknapp - and suppose he is indeed appointed manager - what would you like us all to do?
    Boo Harry next Wed night against Stoke City and drive him out of the club immediately?
    We just did that to Big Sam.
    Please try to be constructive, even if you’re not happy at the choice.

  • 24 nightfall // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:25

    it’s gotta be mourinho!

  • 25 Lazy // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:26

    I won’t support Redknapp, I refuse to believe we have sacked Allardyce to get Redknapp.

    I really don’t want Shearer at the moment, but I’d much rather gamble on him than have Redpap. :P

  • 26 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:26

    Jack - We’d all accept the job if offered. I don’t see why Shearer or Redknapp would be any different.

  • 27 Ed Harrison // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:26

    James :D

  • 28 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:27

    in all honesty here. i would rather we rehired sam than got harry back and i was calling for sam’s head.

  • 29 micepie // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:27

    You see….you put out a positive message and still the fans moan! If we are amongst the best fans in the world - or THE best - that means in good times and rough.

    This is a great site, with a balanced attitude and is always excellent, in-depth reading but one of my resolutions must be never to read any of the posts on the forums.

    By the way, I hope we still sign Kadar and Diarra…the potentially exciting younger players at the Toon are starting to grow, and I hope that continues whoever takes over.

  • 30 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:27

    100% agree with Lazy

  • 31 Adrian Swall // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:28

    Ed. You are asking us to put up with something just for the sake of being united. Harry is a lovely bloke, but he’s not right for us and we aren’t right for him. One of the factors we have to consider is that our manager has to have a huge personality and be media savvy. The manager of Newcastle United is more than just the gaffer of a football team. he has to be someone who gains total respect from day one, in the football club, in the workplace and in the schoolyard. The longer we leave it the bigger the name has to be. Never mind us being a laughing stock to the outside world. We need someone to bring back some humour and fun to our club, and I don’t mean Crusty the Clown.

  • 32 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:28

    i will boo harry all the way down the motorway and onto the bloody isle of wight

  • 33 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:28

    James - Steve Bruce didn’t lol

  • 34 steve // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:30

    Neither Roeder or Allardyce excited many people I know, the last three managers have been pretty much useless and Fergie can spout off all he wants How many of our managers went on to be successful anywhere else after we allegedly didn’t give them long enough in the job, lets face it they weren’t good enough in the first place and nor is “Arry”

    From reading this website it seems that all the fans who don’t goto games and therefore do not contribute to the NUFC coffers are happy enough to support whoever is put in charge, I tell you guys it’s a lot harder to support them when you’re handing over your cash every week (home & away) and the thought of Redknapp is almost to much to bear. I won’t slag him off but I doubt we’ll ever sing his name.
    At the end of the day if the crook comes in and wins FA & Carling Cup along with the premiership I’ll give everyone who posts to this website 100 quid

  • 35 Wroom // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:31

    Trond Sollied is my choice! Give him a chance!

  • 36 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:31

    If and it is still a big IF in my books, that Harry has got the job, I hope the Police investigate all the bets that were placed yesterday on him. They will find they were connected to him with friends and family members and tied to his Cayman Accounts and finally put the crook in jail.

  • 37 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:33

    we need motivator and a uniter. someone with the respect of the team and someone who boosts morale.

    to sum up we need mourinho. he’s perfect for us and if he wants to come (the only potential stumbling block) he has to be given the job.

    It’s he and not shearer who the mob want.

  • 38 lee // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:33

    1 steady the ship

    2 uefacup run (few seasons maybe)

    3 attacking football

    4 champions league spot

    5 eventual cup (hopefully champions league thhough doubt it )

    the fans must play thier part support him through thick n thin not just for results but 2 regain our status as best supporters in the land

  • 39 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:34

    Okay let’s all be honest here. Newcastle United means the world to us. It defines our weekend and can make or break our mood. As fans we are basically over protective parents and nobody is ever going to be good enough to date our daughter… :-)

  • 40 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:35

    Gracchus: Fear and wonder, a powerful combination.

    Falco: You really think people are going to be seduced by that?

    Gracchus: I think he knows what NEWCASTLE is. NEWCASTLE is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they’ll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they’ll roar. The beating heart of NEWCASTLE is not the CONCRETE of the senate, it’s the GRASS of ST JAMES’. He’ll bring them SUCCESS - and they will love him for it.

    Roman senators talking about Jose Mourinho.

  • 41 nightfall // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:35

    it’s not harry…it’s mourinho… you’ll see :)

  • 42 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:36

    Im not a fan of Redknapp but I will admit that he has done well at portsmouth.
    It looks like its going to be him that takes charge and I, along with many life long Toon fans are less than impressed with Ashleys choice of manager.
    However we dont know the ins and outs, for all we know Ashley may have sounded out Mourinho, Hiddink, etc and got negative responses - so he may have actually got what he believe to be the best option for Newcastle, a realistic target with realistic wage demands etc
    So in that respect i will back Redknapp if/when he takes charge, I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he proves me wrong.
    After all, its not as bad as the day Shepherd unveiled Souness is it?

  • 43 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:36

    what do you think is going to happen Ed?
    if its an appointment not wanted by the fans ie; souness , roeder , allerdyce , dagliesh , gulit .
    no coincidence the person to done well at the toon since kev was bobby , the guy the fan’s backed .
    people sit outside this club and call us for being fickle , its nothing todo with that , we live this club so we see things earlier than them , stupid stupid stupid to go against the fans cos were not daft and we see what’s needed with this club more than anyone , look at your poll , top 6 of those managers were all quality with calibre , what do you think will happen if its not someone who meets those standards?
    what always happens , the fans become disillusioned , gutted that the club doesnt aim as high as they do when we provide an income for them tobe able to .
    each and every time we have sacked a manager we go thru this hype , ohh the possabilites , force to contend with yada yada , then we wake up and find souness in the job .
    dcant see ashley making the same mistakes as sheperd , can see him walking into the shearer hype tho , who despite grumbles about experience, will get support.

  • 44 Gooderz // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:37

    Redknapp has experience working with young lads, has an eye for a bargain, and isn’t afraid to gamble on foreigners and keeps working on players even if they don’t succeed from the off (think Benjani or Krancjar).

    Redknapp might not be everyone’s choice, but it could be much worse; we could have had McLaren.

  • 45 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:39

    As much as we all hate the idea of Redknapp standing on our touchline, Mike Ashley has made BILLIONS from the decisions he has made in life. Something that none of us have done. So as much as we are against this, we simply have to trust his judgement.

  • 46 Graeme // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:39

    Ed. I completely disagree with you on this one.

    Whoever MA appoints and yes, its entirely down to him, will be seen as a reflection on what direction he intends the club to go.

    This can either be a “nice, cozy, middle of the table club” which is what we will get with ‘arry (ive achieved nothing in over 30 years) redknapp OR it could be an entertaining, attacking, want to win things, play in Champions League, win Prem Title sort of team that we would get with Morinho, Hitzfeld, Lippi etc

    Now, you say you’re a fan of the club, which way would you want it to go?? If we go down the ‘arry route, mediocrity etc, are you going to be happy, are you going to be cheering to the rafters?? OR are you going to be like me, well pissed off that we have missed a golden chance to become something, appoint someone of stature, a world class manager who has won something.

    As far as I’m concerned, you can take the mediocrity and shove it where the sun dont shine. I want to see NUFC back at the top, performing good football, entertaining, but most of all WINNING. I was at the “Fairs cup Final in 69, I know what it feels like and I want more of it. I was at wembley for both the Liverpool and Man City games and was gutted, both times.

    So, please keep your happy ‘arry comments; he is not the direction the club should be going, he isnt the man to bring us the success we want.

    I’m waiting, hoping and praying that you are completely wrong and that I and thousands of others get what we have always wanted for the club - Success, respect, SILVERWARE.

  • 47 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:40

    to be honest our best chance of a class manager was ramos in the summer but fat freddy blew that one.

    Back mourinho if he’s good enough for rome he’s good enough for us.

    quote from gladiator earlier btw.

  • 48 Wynn the Leap // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:41

    I’ve never left this interweb thing for 36 hours. When will all end? I just can’t bloody log out. I’ve got that bug and I actually sh*t my pants at work today. My colleagues in the call centre were none too pleased. I’m too scared to go to the bog or go to sleep! Every time I sneeze I let rip. Can I have Terry Mac’s job?

  • 49 benboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:42

    Harry will do a job, no doubt, but this is a missed chance to get someone to really take us forward, someone to totally change the club, dont think ‘Arry will make us great again??

  • 50 steve // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:43

    Greg B - realistic wage demands - how do you call 5 million a year a realistic demand!! kinel I better hope your my next boss

  • 51 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:43

    why would ashley and mort be apparently out the country and signing redknapp. i just cant believe it

  • 52 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:44

    Graeme (souness?)

    MY thoughts exactly just can’t be bothered to type that much! If the right man isn’t availivle now then we should wait. Harry would be a disaster he’s not right for the toon, a corrupt cockney and we should steer well clear. Why sack sam to replace him with someone worse. i only hope MA isn’t influenced by the 4-1 earlier in the season.

    However others are still entitled to their opinions. That’s what makes football so good to talk about and i can accept other views without agreeing

    I want mourinho but to be honest it does look like Arry and in fact the deal for the new mangaer, harry or not, might very well be done

  • 53 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:45

    If sam had played exciting attacking football we would of all been behind him…even me who was convinced he was not the man for the job in the first place.
    Redknapp not won nowt but he has turned Pompey into established Premiership club pushing for Europe……………. a la Sam at Bolton……..sound familiar?
    Difference is Harry plays exciting , entertaining football, remember SJP (Pompey at home) this season. Bolton do not and never have done…….get it.
    KK brought us success without winning nowt but boy were we happy and he was and still is hailed a hero.
    If harry brings us a high win percentage playing good attacking football then it will be a repeat of those KK days and a trophy will be a huge bonus.
    What I am saying is that if we turn out at SJP, win most games playing the game the way we Geordies like it to be played then the “feel good” factor will return and we will all get behind Harry or whoever, as long as we go home happy on a Sat night.

  • 54 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:45

    Steve - comapared that to what Mourinho, Lippi etc would cost… and as good as they are they are not guaranteed to bring us success are they? A big gamble.

  • 55 valle // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:46

    Ed… Well said, u do allot of work to get our fans to think positive and back our team… Just a question tho… U really got exited about Roeder?, i thought it was typical Fred and doomed from the start, but ofc i supported him all the same, just in case ;) .

  • 56 Ross // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:47

    nightfall why are you so sure its mourinho?
    fair enough its just the press, but surely there is some truth in the amount of coverage harry redknapp is being given?
    surely the small truth is the immediate fact that yes, he is no1 to take the job?

  • 57 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:49

    The comments I’ve read about other managers may have turned us down, I simply don’t agree with. Mike Ashley is very single minded and will get the man he wants regardless of who it is. If he wanted Mourinho he would get him. If he wanted Hitzfield, he would get him. Financially he can offer them deals they wouldn’t get anywhere else. So the thought that he sees Redknapp as the man to bring success to Newcastle doesn’t make any sense….unless of course it is a smokescreen…

  • 58 steve // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:50

    Frankieboy - Redknapp has a lower win percentage than Sam Allardyce over the last two seasons, what was the point of getting rid of sam for harry - apart from that it’s likely he’ll be in the nick with joey barton at some stage, he seems to get arrested on a frequent basis over …. ahem money affairs

  • 59 Graeme // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:51

    cooldj, no mate, just a long suffering fan from way before that pratt souness turned up.

    GregB, life is a gamble, going out the door is a gamble, crossing the road is a gamble. Some take them and achieve things; others dont and achieve nothing.

    I would gamble on mourhino 1000 times before I would back a redknapp.

  • 60 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:51

    James - whilst I dont totally agree I can see your point and agree to an extent. All I can say is that maybe money isnt everything, doubt it but maybe.

  • 61 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:52

    Cooldj

    Opinions are like arseholes.
    Everyone has one but they all stink.
    Slipped my mind about the “bungs”, Harry, Sam, Souness and Bond…they all have one thing in common…..Newcastle United. Srange or coincidence ??
    Not implicating the club here.

  • 62 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:54

    Nobody in the world believed the story that Mourinho would be interested in the England job. The next day he was in London for talks. Because the FA offered him a massive contract. Mourinho is the type of man who wants to feel wanted, needed by a club, and he will repay that faith in spades.

  • 63 UTD111 // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:54

    S’cuse me “Wynn the leap” - sorry to add to your problems but if your name is meant to reflect one of the greatest centre forwards ever to grace the black and white shirt - at least spell it right.
    WYN Davies.
    ie Wyn the Leap. Born Ronald Wyn Davies on 20th March 1942.
    Thanks

  • 64 LeazesEndLoyal // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:54

    Don’t you dare tell me I should support the next manager unconditionally!

    I’ve paid my money to see that club year after year, and I don’t need somebody to tell me to get behind the manager whoever it may be.

    If I don’t think Mike Ashley matches my ambitions for the club and appoints a nob like Redknapp I will most deffinately not support Redknapp OR ASHLEY ANY FURTHER FOR THAT MATTER!

  • 65 Greg B // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:54

    Very good point Graeme, I would gamble too but we are talking about a billionaire chairman who has only just jumped on the good ship Newcastle, he has not sailed through all the storms that we have, put up with all the crap over the last decade, he has only endured 6 months of it.
    Maybe if he had been on board since the Keegan days he would go that extra mile to get the dogs conkers instead of ‘arry.

  • 66 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:57

    Greg B - Here’s £8 million a year and £150 million transfer kitty, would you like the job?

  • 67 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:57

    frankie :)

    though some people are arseholes too

    harry, sam, souness ect.

    ;)

  • 68 chris // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:59

    Ok look, this Redknapp thing could be nothing more than smoke and mirrors, ditto this talk of the board wanting ‘experience’.

    MA and CM are very smart operators and Mike’s business acumen is second to none. NUFC is *his* asset and he doesn’t do deals lightly when hundreds of millions of pounds are at stake. Sam wasn’t his choice, and he has had plenty of time to weigh up the options. They know who exactly who they want, be sure of it.

    Mike is not the type to conduct his affairs through the media. Never has done, never will. Don’t believe the hype, nor Sky News ’sources’. It’s all guesswork from the media, and you can bet Mike loves it.

    For me, the obvious choice is still Shearer, and maybe KK will return in some guise? That’s the dream pairing, no? I think Mike wants to please the fans, but also to make a smart move and back his choice over the duration.

    The likes of Mourinho and Hitzfeld are also big candidates. Mike can afford JM, and he can afford to pay off Chelsea whatever they’ve paid JM to take gardening leave from English football.

    Mike is known for parking his tanks on people’s lawns. He’s a highly combative operator and typically gets what he wants. And I think he wants a big, big name at the helm.

    It might be Redknapp, but somehow I don’t think he quite matches the scale of Mike Ashley’s ambition.

    I’m sure all will be revealed in the coming days, but until then take everything you see and read with a big pinch of salt.

  • 69 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 21:59

    Steve
    Not this season he hasn’t. that is down to progression.
    No matter who we get what I am saying is if he is successful we will get right behind him….if not we will not and that is whether he (whoever he may be)
    was our individual prefered appointment.
    I was against Sam being appointed but if he had brought success I would of been right behind him.

  • 70 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:00

    Houllier has just shot up if anyone is interested

    as has coppell

    both of those over arry

  • 71 andyc290 // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:00

    I have it on good authority that Mourinho was seen in Superpie on Coatsworth Rd today buying 2 meat and potato squares and a cheese and onion slice. He was heard mentioning something about househunting in the Bensham area. You heard it here first!

  • 72 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:01

    frankie

    agree again.

    if harry takes over and does very well we can’t help but back him but the difference him and jose is that jose will have my backing and respect from the beggining whereas harry will have to earn it and thus i will be much less tolerant and jump on him quicker if we (inevitably) play badly.

  • 73 Nobby's dad // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:02

    Regarding Mourinio………anyone who listens to Talk Sport will have heard their Portuguese correspondant (who knows Mourinio) state weeks ago that he is lined up for one of the big European sides - Barca or Inter are suggested. He put his name into the England hat to force their hands and there is a belief that he has already agreed to manage one of these clubs in the summer.

    James I’m afraid that Ashley CANNOT offer deals that could not be offered anywhere else. Ashley is wealthy - but he’s not in the same league as Abramovich.

  • 74 Wynn the Leap // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:02

    UTD111. re the Wyn The Leap. He’s a different bloke to me. I’m someone else. Do you really think he would be joining in with this debate? By the way, should your name be spelled UTD11?

  • 75 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:04

    Cooldj
    Correct,
    Even me at times, and thats not just my opinion, ask my makem brother-in-law.
    You forgot -
    Barton, Boumsong, Bramble Dyer etc

  • 76 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:06

    They say it is a massive gamble taking on Shearer. I personally think it is a bigger gamble putting someone in charge who none of the fans want. We’ve all seen where that leads to….enjoy it while it lasts Harry…

  • 77 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:08

    There is one single positive about Harry Redknapp - he hates Barton. Called him a thug when he was at Man City. So we can safely assume he’d be thrown out of the club very quickly

  • 78 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:08

    harry aint gonna be the manager.

  • 79 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:09

    the manager is hiddink

  • 80 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:09

    Well, we have appointed lots of experienced managers in recent times and all have failed, except Sir Bobby. Keegan wasn’t experienced and he nearly won the league.

  • 81 Adrian Swall // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:09

    Wynn. Re your problem. Take one bung every three weeks. Should sort out your sh*t problems no bother.

  • 82 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:10

    to be honest Harry would be mad not to take the job. sign a 5 year deal, get sacked after one and receive 5 years pay for one years work ( extra on the side ;) !!!!) then he can fly his own plane back down to Portsmouth and start earning again after one season.

  • 83 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:11

    Cooldj
    How true that is a la me with Souness and Sam, however it did take longer with Roeder cos I thought he was a good appointment for continuity and I still respect him as a man and a manager, it was just this job was tooooooo big for him but he didn’t have the arrogance of the other two.

  • 84 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:11

    Jack - That was the problem with Keegan. If he had been experienced, we would have won the league.

  • 85 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:11

    ever went for a new tv got it home and wished you had went for a bigger one?
    cant see ashley making that mistake , guy will have contacts , he’s gonna put his cards on the table .
    honest harry redknapp has freddy shepered written all over it :) its a poor joke .

  • 86 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:12

    yeh ed,

    Im really worried why are you so keen on Redknapp…

    http://www.rivals.net/news/pgarticle.aspx?artid=2483_3040116

    … his been in management since i was born and has never won ought and Portmouth finished 9th last season, better than us i know but still!

    stop all these Redknapp stuff- I dont think he is coming after reading the above article i pray he doesnt come- he is a top British manager, but a very poor record in Europe

    i am sobering up a little bit, we cant just expect every manager to want to come- but i feel if the package is right (.i.e personal salary and Transfer Kitty- objective: make us great!) any manager worth his weight in balls will say can do-
    jose are you listening? if not Guus, Otto come on we will even sing “Newcastle Ubur alas” but we will damn the swastika because were blacnwhite United!

  • 87 joeyjailbird barton // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:13

    bring in mike basset

  • 88 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:14

    Why will it be such a massive gamble on Shearer? Keegan didn’t have a lot of management experience when he came to the Toon (he’d been on a golf course in Portugal for 10 years practising his swing!) and we were in a lot worse predicament then than we are now. Just about to be relegated to the 3rd I seem to remember and he didn’t have a Venables to lean on!
    Let’s face it we’re never going to be happy until he’s had a go. Shearer is not the sort of bloke to go and manage Hartlepool or Darlington first or even a Southampton cause if he failed there he would never get his chance at the Toon. He knows this is his chance and he’ll give it everything he’s got and I for one wouldn’t bet against him succeeding.

  • 89 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:16

    BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!

    Sky Sports have just reported that they have broken the record for the most bullshit in one day. The previous record had been held by Tony Blair, but Sky said they won by over 4 lies.

  • 90 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:18

    Andyc290 Re Superpie
    Used to work with a lad on the buses in Gateshead who used to do 53/54 routes n his nickname was Superpie cos he only had one kidney.
    Just brought it all back.

  • 91 Eve // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:20

    “Sky Sports News understands that Alan Shearer would be interested in becoming the next manager of Newcastle if he was formally approached.”

    Ya..sure..anyway.

    Say if he wanted the job I still wouldn’t give it to him. Shearer would be a risk because he’s never managed any team, ever. But look at Keane, he’s doing a good enough job. Maybe if he does take the job so will Shearer. I personally think that it’s a bad idea, I don’t think that Shearer on his first job should go anywhere near a club where he’s in the history books.
    He would be given time though, outta anyone he’d be given time.

  • 92 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:22

    I don’t think Keane is doing a good job, he’s battling relegation and his signings have been poor, same as Southgate.

  • 93 Davy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:23

    I said that in the last thread Ed - hope the message gets out!

  • 94 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:24

    jjbarton

    lol. good film too.

  • 95 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:24

    sky sports just cant say:

    we absolutely dont know what is going on

    and that is exactly what their demonstarting- and they stay tuned for exclusive updates on more speculation, deviation and repetition- they should hire Paul Merton, that might retain their viewers

  • 96 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:24

    He’ll ram those ‘you ain’t won no trophies’ jibes back down there throats once we’ve won our first title and maybe a couple of cups!

  • 97 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:27

    specualtion, deviation, repetition, without hesitation-

    damn these Murdoch- cocks are something else,

  • 98 AdamCF // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:27

    All I’d like is a players’ manager. One who instills confidence in the group. This will bring success :)

  • 99 joeyjailbird barton // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:27

    seriously … we should go for shearer or a manager without prem lge experience. why go for prem experience when sir bob and king kev nerer had it. dalglish, souness,gullit.allashit had it and look what happened

  • 100 Sean // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:28

    does anyone know how much money this new manager will have to spend?

  • 101 Eve // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:28

    Jack..he’s battling relegation, but he’s the balls to get through that, we’re, sad to say, almost in the same situation ourselves. The most important thing is that Keane is learning, and improving he’s just had a hell lot of results go against him recently, and maybe not deservingly either, some very questionable calls. But in fairness to him he’s talking ALL the blame, this experience will make him stronger and better. I think for someone just outta football boots he’s doing a good job.

  • 102 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:29

    Hear Hear!

    Shearer to be named on Monday!

  • 103 nightfall // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:29

    i’m positive it’s mourinho…everything fits…everything that’s happening…we have enormous potential…mourinho is the type of manager who could be 4th or even 3rd with players we have..so even if he makes few mistakes we’d still be 6th and that would be great…so there wouldn’t be any pressure from the fans or the board… but like i said…we have money, ambitious owner, mourinho - bobby connection, i’m sure he wants to get back at roman and i’m sure he sees NUFC as a challenge.. we are a big club..millions supporters from all over the globe, great facilities, great support (if the manager is ok…trying to adapt) and we haven’t won anything in a long time…it’s gotta be him… and also what ashley’s friend from tottenham said…ashley will deliver, we’ll be surprised…?? i mean…it can’t be anyone else…

    …right?

  • 104 joeyjailbird barton // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:29

    definately agree skysports news talk as much shit as raggy tash allashit

  • 105 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:30

    i hope your right nightfall

  • 106 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:31

    Its Hiddink ffs, trust me.

  • 107 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:31

    Jose doesn’t need that kind of challenge. His challenge is to win more Champions Leagues. Nice thought though…

  • 108 joeyjailbird barton // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:34

    seen allashits face was smiling 1 day after finding out he will get 5 mil

  • 109 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:34

    Keane is doing a good job? He has his team in relegation zone and is almost certain to succeed in relegating it, shows shallow skill in the transfer market when it comes to buying beyond Man Utd youngsters, got in a fierce row with a fellow manager and was told he can’t find an adequate approach to his team by a player of his own in the media. If this is doing well, what is doing bad? Biting and hissing in the dressing room?

  • 110 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:35

    Houllier has shot so far up the favourites list in the past 3 hours.

  • 111 cooldj // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:36

    i want to believe you nightfall i really do but there’s an awful lot of momentum behind the harry rumours.

    can anyone think of any time when rumours to this scale were wrong? please say yes!!

  • 112 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:37

    Eve - good point and I agree with Shearer becoming manager, although not first choice, because I think he could do a job, but spending 40million in the summer, which Keane did, I would expect them to be in our position, just outside the relegation battle.

  • 113 kagthemag // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:37

    aye and a challenge would be to guide the toon to champ league success. We nearly did it 10 years ago.

    I’m for shearer/keegan or jose, however i’ll back any manager & give him a chance.
    but if he decides to play an england under 21 on the left when he’s a right winger, or plays a center half at right back, or an outstanding fast left sided winger at left back or an england international striker as a holding midfielder then it’s time for him to go

  • 114 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:39

    Tom is it totally impossible that the bookmakers have decided we will appoint Harry and want to manipulate some more idiots to get tricked into the falling bets and waste their money? Or time on faulty conclusions.

  • 115 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:41

    We havent appointed Harry! We never were, and we never will!

    Its Hiddink

  • 116 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:41

    It was mentioned earlier by a gambling man that the smart money should go on Houllier but have heard it all before.
    Maybe this Harry episode is just a clever subdifuge(think thats how to spell it)

    We’ll find out soon enough.

  • 117 Jeff D. // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:41

    If its Harry Redknapp my season ticket is going in the bin!!! and i will never set foot inside St james park again. Ive been a loyal supporter for 35 years home and away. but im at the end of my tether now. That appointment is a massive step backwards. Caus if sam wasn’t good enough, then Redknapp definately isnt.
    If appointing harry redknapp is the size of mike ashleys ambitions for Newcastle then we’re really in the shit.
    The only thing that Harry has achieved in management is a
    a win percentage of 38%.
    I will not waste another penny to watch that sort of garbage anymore.

  • 118 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:42

    i really think mort and ashley are keeping it hush hush, i say its shearer,mourinho,hiddink

  • 119 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:44

    Ive had this huge hunch ever since we sacked big sam its hiddink, also ashley being in hong kong reitterates this.

  • 120 Frankieboy // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:45

    Like I said if they bring success in the way of attacking football I will take that whoever it turns out to be

  • 121 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:49

    I would think anyone who throws away his season ticket after seeing the manager’s name is a stubborn blindy. I would be bitterly disappointed to see a choice which I don’t approve, but dang it, I would definitely check out how it goes first. I doubt only WORLD CLASS arrogant bastards can produce good football and succeed. If it was so, there would be no upcoming world class managers. They all become world class after they take a big team.
    No, I am not a Harry supporter. There can be only a couple names from the mentioned so far that would terrify me more atm - that guy who keeps trying to match Shuemacher and Stoitchkov.

  • 122 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:51

    Btw Jeff, what % would be realistic to ask from a successful Premiership manager who isn’t with the top 4? I guess it has to be 130 wins/38 games?

  • 123 madjohny67 // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:55

    wel wel wel wat another fine mess eh? theres been alot of good comments here and our passion and faith is still there….but maybe waning a bit.
    i am not as interested in the next mng as to how this new guy ashley handles his first major decision. i reckon and hope that from day 1 sam was a dead man walking, and when mort starts sitting and getting photographed sitting with the fans, to me thats a pretty visual very public staement, of wat i dunno i dont run multi million pound business’
    i really hope that this guy runs this club like a f**kin top dog Co, u pay big and so u expect results. i havent been following footy much now for 3/4 yrs, apart from the toons result untill recently as, the cost of going to the pub is so f**kin costly of course the paying fans have the right to demand a quality product. ive been away for a month and could actually afford to watch any of the english games that were shown in the bars, and i could smoke…get in…but for me the games changed so much now its full of f**n greedy lazy pple…
    well i just pray that the club will start using its head alot more than its heart. for sure the dream ticket must be jose ? pocket full of cash to spend, bringing success to the daft geordies, a club with tradition heretige passion. big profile club man he must be licking his lips and practicing sum geordie slang.
    well for all fans out there
    HOWAY THE LADS

  • 124 Jeff D. // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:55

    Sorry to sound negative Kevinhann, but it wrenches my gut just here that he is even being considered. He is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Ive seen it again and again, ive had enough. If its him im off.

  • 125 Murvar // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:56

    Never read so much crap. What world do you guys live in? Never never land? Mourinho coming here would be like Shearer taking over at Fisher Athletic. It’s not going to happen. And he was sacked cos they didn’t play sufficiently attractive football at Chelsea!

    I hadn’t imagined Harry R would be in the frame (not for this job at least!) but he’s ouit of the West Ham school of the 60s, where pure football was the order of the day, and he’s tried to replicate that wherever he’s been. I wouldn’t mind him working with Shearer as his assistant, as he has done with Tony Adams at Pompey.

    My biggest fear is that we’ll all end up with that twitch……….

  • 126 nightfall // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:57

    tom toon - hiddink is a manager of russia… it’s EC this summer…why would he leave now? and i’m sure ashley and the new manager (mourinho :) ) agreed before sacking sam…noone would fire a manager and then search for a new one…the deal was already made… no bussines man takes such risks…no way!!! and i think jose and ashley are very much a like…smart, good as people, proud, but jose is not afraid to talk about it…but they both have that winning mentality! and harry? 38%?

  • 127 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:57

    Well KevinHann, I would say anything above Roeder 45% or Sir Bobby 47% would be good!

  • 128 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:58

    “I have heard some rumours about the people Mike Ashley was talking to and it amazes me,”
    - Fergie .
    wonder how you take that ? :)

  • 129 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:59

    Roeder 45% win ratio!!!
    Are you sure?

  • 130 Toon Al // Jan 11, 2008 at 22:59

    could mort have been in portugal to try and woo big phil scolari?

    no one seems to have mentioned him, yet mort is in portugal..

  • 131 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:00

    we need at least a 45% win percenage, its hiddink trust me, hes in hong kong now.

  • 132 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:01

    how do people know mort is in portugal????????????

  • 133 Toon Al // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:01

    hadrian - where was tha quote?

  • 134 Toon Al // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:02

    its bee said ashley is in asia on buisness and mort in portugal on buisness

  • 135 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:02

    so hiddink or scolari then :)

  • 136 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:02

    Fergie’s frightened in case we get a good manager and beat him 5-0 again.

  • 137 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:03

    From Wikipedia:
    Newcastle United February 2, 2006 May 6, 2007
    P73 W33 L24 D16 Win% 45.21

  • 138 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:03

    I just played a new league for FM08, turned Premiership into Champions League Championship, with Newcastle in League 1 (on the place of Leeds I figure, who were moved to Ukraine to make space :P ) and face the likes of Dortmund, PSG, Santos, Independiente, Gremio and whatever it takes to fill the number to 24. No transfers except for Piatti and Sergei Ignashevich on a free, and got Real Madrid in round 1 of the Carling Cup. Beat them 4-3 :D Then Man City 1-1 (60 total shots in the game, just 17-18 from these on their goal) and won through penalties. Then played Gremio and it turned out the League 1 fixtures match the international games and had only Harper and Piatti available plus the under-21 squad :S Squashed them 3-2 away with goals from Kazenga and Donninger. And then the game loaded the fixtures and collapsed, resulting in a “send error report”. Even FM thinks we can’t be that good.
    So cut the crap about Mourinho, he will never be. He once proved he can do it in England. He would more likely take Napoli and resurrect their brilliant past than ours since he hasn’t been in Italy. Dreaming isn’t bad, not at all. But when it gets you delusioned to the extent you keep winding yourself for nothing less than a CV of at lest 15 titles in 14 clubs in 6 seasons career, you end up booing the actual and realistic choice failing to realise that’s what’s up for grabs. Keep your mind open and you may be pleasantly surprised, if you expect Mourinho, you will almost certainly end up disappointed and even vomitting.

  • 139 Murvar // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:03

    Seen it all now - Monkey’s Heed is on BBCi saying we should appoint Simon Grayson of Blackpool. I’m a Toon and Blackpool fan and I wouldn’t wish each on the other.

  • 140 carl // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:05

    mourinho is still in portugal

  • 141 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:06

    ye but we are getting someoe already employed

  • 142 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:07

    Umm why is it hard to believe someone who managed 38% with Pompy (shaking off relegation in the same period!) wouldn’t improve that with our team plus the warchest for transfers (surely we are not in relegation fight which should see the % rise a bit…) The size of the clubs also matters.

  • 143 Jeff D. // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:08

    KevinHann. Roeder had a 45% win ratio and Souness had a slightly less of a win ratio. so are alarm bells not ringing in your ears?

  • 144 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:09

    ashley is in hong kong with Sir Philip Green.
    this guy love’s to get involved with all the major football deals , was insrumental with Pini Zahavi in all his chelski dealings , who is also jose’s agent :)

  • 145 RobNUFC // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:09

    why wouldmort have to go to portugal?
    if it was all planned before fat sam went -everything should be done in a matter of minutes.

    this is all rubbish.
    mort is probably in his pants on his sofa watching alan partridge and fat ashley will be eating a partridge in hong kong

    all in the knowledege that jelly face redknapp is in line to take over and create a dream team - cue matty taylor and pedro mendes. oh god help.

  • 146 Shearer's the man // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:10

    TomToon
    Actually Mort didn’t say they were employed, he said we would go through the proper channels. Mourinho has a clause preventing him from managing in the premiership until the end of the season……unless of course we went through the proper channels with Chelsea to get around that!!!

    Now of course I don’t think that will happen becasue we will be talking to the BBC about how we will let them borrow England’s number 1 for big tournaments and to stand in for Alan Hansen when he goes on holiday and the like. That’s what Mort really had in mind. :-)

  • 147 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:10

    redknapps odds have fallen alot.

  • 148 KevinHann // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:11

    Sir Alex Ferguson:
    “I have heard some rumours about the people Mike Ashley was talking to and it amazes me,” he said.

    “I don’t know what you can say about the situation up there but it is a strange club.”

    Who could he have in mind? Does any of the names we have been strongly linked to sound THAT strange to you considering Alex backs Redknapp for the position!?

  • 149 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:11

    dream on it aint mourinho, im willing to give up my manager big phil for success at the toon.

  • 150 Hadrian // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:16

    hey im not dreaming , just stating what ive heard .
    Pini Zahavi could well be the super agent anal oliver was on about in his jan 5th article .
    and the fact ashley is over in hong kong with philip green shows’s you he has major contacts in the football world.

  • 151 ToonKing // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:16

    oh man i can’t take this anymore……. haven’t properly slept in daaaays. At this moment in time i couldn’t care less who is appointed, i just want something to happen……. :(

  • 152 Jeff D. // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:17

    I would rather they went for a keen manager from the lower leagues than have to suffer with redknapp or maclaren.
    Im not bothered if its a big name done it all bloke.
    As long as its not a big name done sod all bloke.

  • 153 Toon Al // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:22

    Hadrian, where’d u read where who ashley is with?

    got a link?

  • 154 shearer // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:26

    its shearer

  • 155 monkeyheed // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:27

    ok put your hand up if you are sitting here at 11:30pm vaguely expecting some breaking news to come through. i am. how stupid is that! god.

  • 156 RobNUFC // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:29

    this sucks

  • 157 Ross // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:30

    nightfall you’re right, ashleys mate did tell us to wait and that we’d be surprised.
    the surprise is that when everyone said “right, fat sams gone, ashley’s got a wad of cash at the ready, lets get a world class name in”
    he’s actually just nicking harry redknapp from portsmouth. thats the surprise.

  • 158 RobNUFC // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:30

    why am i refreshing the news page at 1135 at night expecting something to change?

  • 159 Obafan // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:31

    Big Phil, please no, perhaps he is good, but I hate it when a manager tries to punch a player from the opponent side.

    I also hate managers who have been investigated for dark business, euhm like Redknapp ;-)

  • 160 Obafan // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:33

    RobNUFC - I’m askin myself the same question, and in Belgium it is 00.35 ;-)

  • 161 shearer // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:34

    tom toon why so sure it is hiddink

  • 162 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:34

    you slagging off my national team manager, you didnt qualify from our group mate :)

  • 163 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:36

    Could work in our favour though, he may offer bribes to some world class players into coming here ;)

  • 164 shearer // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:36

    it is near certainty it will be harry with his crazy twitch

  • 165 Hammy // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:37

    Hmmnnnn, who’s next in the hot seat, haven’t we got a game coming up folks?

    Basically Mike Ashley can pick who he wants…as a successful money man I could see him picking a very high profile manager in the Mourinihio mould, everyone scoffed at how much Real Madrid paid for Beckham, but look at all the money he put back into Madrid’s coffers through merchandising.
    I think he’ll take this approach and try to get the Toon back into the media spotlight for all the RIGHT reasons.
    I think we are in for a surprise…….

  • 166 gaz // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:38

    think i’ve gone nuts cant stop refreshing. and nothings going to happen at this time think all us toon fans are a bit on the crazy side !

  • 167 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:38

    he mate said we should be excitied and we are in for suprise.

  • 168 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:39

    and we will be pleased

  • 169 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:39

    shame im working tomorrow, ill have to keep checking my mobile to see if we got a manager.

  • 170 Murvar // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:41

    Times says Pompey have told Harry to decide by lunchtime tomorrow.

  • 171 Jack // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:41

    If that’s true then I’ll be expecting someone like Hiddink or Lippi. Because no-one else excites me.

  • 172 Tom_Toon // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:42

    Hiddink was my hunch from the start and still is, i just feel his mikes kind of man.

  • 173 Jeff D. // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:49

    Just been reading the chronicle comments by fans on Redknapp. Ididnt read one positive comment on it. there isnt a single toon fan who thinks he should come!!!

  • 174 ObaFan2 // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:49

    The more I hear from some on here like The black in the blacknwhite & nightfall the more I am relaxing to the idea it isn’t gonna be Dodgy ‘Arry.
    Where has any credible information come from? Not from SJP,MA or CM only Paul Kemsley from what I’ve seen. He basically told us to trust in Ashley.
    So MA, Kemsley and Redknapp are all friends. This is ideal for tapping Redknapp up maybe say on a round of golf but maybe not. It could be a smokescreen conjured up and executed by 3 friends. A subterfuge for while MA gets all the dots dotted and T’s crossed.
    Maybe it could be a betting scam, place £10 or £15 K on the real 60-1 manager at two or 3 bookies and you’ve got a bit o pocket money ! The bookies are happy cos they’ve made 3 million for all the crazy bets on dodgy guy Redknapp.
    Nothing has happened today, nothing “credible” from what I’ve seen, alot of denials or friends/associates of have said etc. So fingers crossed we may be in for a surprise, I hope it’s not a shock !

  • 175 Toon Al // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:52

    from really early on there were reports of jol and hiddink bein contacted, who knows..

    after all this, watch it end up bein bloody harry rednapp after all

  • 176 The black in the blacknwhite // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:54

    Gaz were crazy- but were United in this madness

    C’MON THE TOON!!!!!!!!!!!

    HEY anyoone here went to chilingham Rd primary school 90-94 and Heaton manor 94??
    Anyone from heaton o this forum??

  • 177 James // Jan 11, 2008 at 23:55

    Tom-Toon - Hiddink is best mates with Roman, and couldn’t be persuaded to come go to Chelsea despite Roman paying his current wages anyway. Hiddink feels he has a job to do with the Russian team at the Euros. Then he will leave. I’d like him to come but simply no chance.

    Sky Sports have been running all day with the Harry story as we know. But tonight th