Kevin Keegan completed his meeting with Newcastle’s owner owner Mike Ashley today in London, but we hardly know what was even discussed.
Kevin Keegan - nothing much released about Ashley meeting today
Chairman Chris Mort, recently appointed Deputy Chairman, Executive Director of Football Dennis Wise and Vice-President Tony Jimenez, were also at the meeting.
However, very little so far has been released about what was discussed or what was agreed to as a result of today’s meeting.
After the meeting Chairman Chris Mort said:
“It was a good meeting,” “It was both productive and constructive.”
That kind of response is a standard generic description about almost any meeting, so we really don’t have any idea what even the discussions were about, never mind the results.
The BBC is reporting that when asked if Keegan would be in charge next season, a club spokesman told the BBC:
“As far as I’m aware he’s the manager.”
Of course that was rather a mischievous question to ask in any case, so the response wasn’t too surprising. If Kevin wasn’t now the manager, Chris would have hardly made the statement he made, and heaven help us all.
What we’d like to understand was whether Ashley was upset at Keegan because of the comments he made last Monday. We still don’t even know that.
The Times and other papers this morning reported that Ashley was livid at Kevin’s comments, but we don’t fully trust those reports.
It’s interesting that Kevin said nothing immediately after the meeting.
Kevin Keegan had been quoted before the meeting as saying:
“Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what’s happening at their club.”
“Part of the media’s job is to report it correctly and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.”
“You can take the same phrase three different ways, and it can mean three different things. You know that.”
“I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City and at Fulham and with England.”
“I haven’t changed.” “I am not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I won’t change that.”
We have to assume that Kevin’s comments were at least discussed at the meeting, and there would presumably be some deliberations on what he exactly meant by them, and even why they were said.
But it also doesn’t look like the club wants to divulge much of what was said, which is probably a good thing, because the press would just misconstrue whatever was said, if they ventured into any detail.
But we have to assume they at least covered the transfer targets, since everybody associated with transfers at the club was present. We also assume the players Kevin wants to keep at the club were also discussed.
Let’s hope all will be well now, and we can look forward to new players arriving at the club shortly, and that new contracts will be offered to Michael Owen, Steven Taylor and Steve Harper.
Maybe we will learn more about what happened tomorrow - just maybe - but whatever the Daily Mail reports - don’t believe them.
Comments welcome.
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81 responses so far ↓
1 Neilos // May 9, 2008 at 19:49
The speculation isn’t going to stop till we have a more complete answer as to what was on the agenda.
I hope it was regarding summer targets
2 deano // May 9, 2008 at 19:58
talked about money
hope so
3 michael // May 9, 2008 at 19:58
It was basically a glorified board meeting, eh?
Just the tabloids making something out of nothing.
4 Leo Smith // May 9, 2008 at 19:59
Actually, for Keegan to say that, I don’t think it means his comments were discussed at all, or at least weren’t a point of contention. I think what he means by that is:
“Did I actually ever say anything to make my owner angry? Or complain about a lack or funding? Or say I didn’t get on with the owner? Or say I didn’t have a good relationship with Dennis Wise? Or complain that I wasn’t involved in picking players? Or threaten to quit? No. no I didn’t, I said Chelsea are a long way ahead of us and that’d it’ll be very difficult to catch the top four, no matter how much money we spend, cos the best players in the world don’t come to clubs finishing twelfth in the league! So perhaps in future, you can actually report what I said and not some tedious made up rubbish about my incredibly safe job being under threat because that’s just nonsense.”
That’s how I read it anyway. I’ve maintained that the meeting was for Ashley to say “Look KK, you buy whoever you want and I’ll pay for it. Also well done for avaoiding relegation and making Chelski look ordinary for 45mins. With my help you can do it for 90mins. We’ll crack the top four, you’ll see!”
5 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:00
I hope it was over deciding what squad number to give Veloso at the press conference. Number 6 saying Cacapa will be going
6 Leo // May 9, 2008 at 20:00
well reading what keegan said you can tell his future was not under jepordy
he is safe they were just disgussing the targets and how the new system was/is meant to work
7 Leo Smith // May 9, 2008 at 20:02
Haha, nice JC! :p
8 Hadrian // May 9, 2008 at 20:09
u sure those comments were from keegan after the meeting ?
i dont think they were .
9 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:11
Then after this they probably decided to tie up the Messi deal even though Ronaldo has expressed his desire to come. But you can’t keep everyone happy.
10 Paulzim // May 9, 2008 at 20:14
No those comments were BEFORE the meeting!
11 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:15
Miguel will be docked his wages until he cuts his hairs. As you all know we run a very tight ship here. And if we are not careful pretty soon we will be up to are balls in jugglers!!!
12 Hamas (51times) // May 9, 2008 at 20:15
Everybody talking about Veloso calm down, these are just pipe dreams. How can we beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid to a player? As much as it pains me to say it I don’t think we have any chance.
13 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:16
HAHAHAHA!!
14 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:17
Obviousily we know that, we are just having a bit of banter. But you are right Hamas (51times).
15 Penalty-Spot // May 9, 2008 at 20:20
From the BBC:
“Asked if Keegan would be in charge next season, a club spokesman told the BBC: “As far as I’m aware he’s the manager.” ” Surely they wouldn’t get rid? Like the headline says…what was said at the meeting?
16 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:40
NEWCASTLE, England: Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan survived a showdown meeting with club owner Mike Ashley on Friday and pledged he would continue to speak his mind over the team’s chances of winning titles.
After last weekend’s 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea, Keegan said Newcastle couldn’t compete in the transfer market with the traditional top four — Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool — and that the title race had become predictable.
Ashley called a meeting with Keegan and chairman Chris Mort, and the manager said his comments had been taken out of context. But Keegan said he wouldn’t stop talking about how difficult it was to keep up with clubs who have dominated English soccer for 16 years.
“Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what’s happening at their club,” Keegan said. “Part of the media’s job is to report it correctly and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.
“I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City and at Fulham and with England. I haven’t changed. I am not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I won’t change that.”
Newcastle, which had gone seven games unbeaten before that loss to Chelsea, goes to Everton on the final day of the season on Sunday. Everton lies fifth in the standings, which would mean a UEFA Cup spot next season and that’s what Keegan is chasing next term.
“That’s our main target next year and that’s a very good target to set ourselves from where we are at the moment,” said Keegan, whose team looks certain to finish 12th this time.
17 Luke // May 9, 2008 at 20:40
non story, non post
18 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:44
From the telegraph
Kevin Keegan remains as Newcastle manager following a “productive and constructive” meeting with club owner Mike Ashley today.
Keegan was summoned to London after Ashley was reportedly angered by his manager’s assertion on Monday that Newcastle were a “million miles away” from breaking into the top four of the Premier League.
19 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:45
continued
Keegan met with Ashley and director of football Dennis Wise, as well as chairman Chris Mort, newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias and vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez.
Mort said: “It was a good meeting. It was both productive and constructive.”
Yesterday Keegan had been unrepentant following his outburst after the 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea that ended Newcastle’s seven-game unbeaten run. He said: “I know some people are disappointed I’m saying we’re not going to win the league this time, but I’d be in danger of being whipped off to the old nuthouse if I started saying that, because there’s a big gulf.
“The challenge is there, but I don’t think it can be done in a year or two.”
Keegan, who replaced Sam Allardyce in January to begin his second spell in charge at St James’ Park, will end an eventful season by taking his side to Everton on Sunday for their final Premier League game.
20 Ed Harrison // May 9, 2008 at 20:46
On reflection I believe the Keegan comments were said before the meeting -so i have corrected it and altered it accordingly.
So nothing much at all said about the meeting so far.
21 Toonboy // May 9, 2008 at 20:46
standard meeting i’ld say discussing transfer targets,ya know Deco,Henry,Messi ect.ect lol
22 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:46
Guardian
Kevin Keegan is looking forward to another season in charge of Newcastle United after holding talks with the club’s owner Mike Ashley that were described by chairman Chris Mort as “productive and constructive”.
Mort and his newly-appointed deputy Derek Llambias, as well as executive director of football Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez, were at the meeting. “It was a good meeting,” said Mort. “It was both productive and constructive.”
Keegan headed for London for the talks after publicly casting doubt over Newcastle’s prospects of breaking into the Premier League’s top four. But despite speculation that Ashley was furious over his remarks, the club’s hierarchy are thought to have put any misunderstandings behind them as Keegan prepares his side to face Everton for their final game of the season on Sunday
23 JC // May 9, 2008 at 20:52
‘Kevin Keegan’s team were crowned North-East Summit champions on Saturday evening after Sunderland’s loss to Bolton.
The title now gives the team and fans bragging rights in the North-East. Newcastle fans will certainly enjoy their summer a lot more knowing that their team are better than Boro and Sunderland.’
The funny thing is that this season was our worse ever in the premiership but sunderland and boro are calling it a success.
24 Toonboy // May 9, 2008 at 20:55
Are we the only team with a billionaire owner who dosnt want to spend money??? i’ll be very shocked if we buy 1 player for 10mil or more.
25 rubbix // May 9, 2008 at 20:56
I for one couldnt care less as long as it was all good and not this crap the tabloids like the sun been printing today…honestly dont know were they get all there info from but not one bit of its true and have the rest of the country believe it is but us on tyneside know other wise……really peez me off to know a blokes sitting there makin crap up and getting paid for it with no facts to go on.
26 Jim // May 9, 2008 at 21:05
Mike Ashley
Chris Mort
Derek Llambias
Kevin Keegan
Denis Wise
Tony Jimenez
“It was a good meeting. It was both productive and constructive†said Chris Mort.
And that’s all that’s been released post meeting. You can’t read much in to that!
I’m not sure how comfortable that meeting would have been for KK as everyone else has been appointed around him. I think the appointment of Wise has been the most destabilising event in recent months but who really knows.
I would very much like to see a transcript of that meeting because in it will be the entire present and mid term future of the club as well as the relationships between the senior management.
27 Gooderz // May 9, 2008 at 21:29
I would have thought that this meeting would be one of the first real chances for the whole team to sit down and discuss everything thoroughly and set out a definite plan for the next few years, instead of just next season.
With the people present transfers would be the main priority and going over who we should be after for every level at the club.
But Llambias’ appointment might go towards those development plans drawn up in the Shepherd era, what with his experience in that area.
That’s my bit of speculation, although it’s nowhere near the high level produced by the Sun.
28 i Toon // May 9, 2008 at 21:43
maybe Kevin getting a war chest a real big one i can dream can’t i ?
29 deano // May 9, 2008 at 21:49
ifn ashley wanted a meeting why would all the gang be there
this meeting was surely to talk about transfer targets
why would wise jimenez be there
they get the players in
the meeting would have just been mike mort keegan if it was about his future
30 Jeff D // May 9, 2008 at 22:07
Ive emailed the sun journalist who wrote the “Keegan must beg and grovel” for his job and told him exactly what i think of his article, and what a crap journalist he is to stoop to this sort of sensationalist bollocks. Ive not actually bought the sun for about six months because of the out and out attacks on Newcastle united. and hope every Newcastle fan boycotts this crap tabloid to.
The journalist who wrote todays crap is s.brenner@thesun.co.uk if any body else feels as strongly as me and wants to email him about the endless toon in crisis shite they keep trying to rake up.
31 Toonboy // May 9, 2008 at 22:08
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=565228&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow
check it out
32 Hamas (51times) // May 9, 2008 at 22:16
lol@Daily Mail
Don’t believe anything they write about us, f*cking southern scum.
33 willowtoon // May 9, 2008 at 22:22
The meeting was to discuss next year. Yes MA would not be happy with KK comments about his relationship with MA. I think the fact all parties were there shows that MA has taken on board what KK said about moving forward.
I think the meeting was more to discuss why targeted players are not choosing NUFC and what can be done about it.
MA knew what KK was all about before he sigend him up as manager.
The press hate us and so expect negative headlines over the weekend
The future is bright its black and White
34 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 22:24
daily mail is the worst paper
35 Toonboy // May 9, 2008 at 22:33
And i thought the sun was crap lol
36 Jeff D // May 9, 2008 at 22:34
Why did you not submit the blog i wrote!!! whats the matter, are sun journalists allowed to write any old crap and get away with it. Are we not allowed to tell them what we think of it!!! You probably wont submit this one either. you lot are every bit as bloody bad as the sun.
37 Scott H11 // May 9, 2008 at 23:00
I doubt we’ll ever find out everything that was discussed at the meeting but the timing came after his comments. ‘Summoned’ is an indication he was going to get his arse kicked. Many felt his comments were based on information he received indicating that he will not receive as much cash as he feels he needs to crack the top 4.
38 Jim // May 9, 2008 at 23:04
Where do the Mail get their information? I don’t believe that it’s all made up. The latest article is a poor read for Toon fans, casting a very cool shadow over KK’s 3 years in charge.
I wonder if Mike Ashley releases information to the Mail as they always seem to be first to print his feelings and thoughts. Perhaps COLIN YOUNG (the author) is connected.
Can anybody thow any light on this without simply deriding the Daily Mail and foaming at the mouth? I don’t like some of their articles and choose to read them with a pinch of salt, but I still read them.
Comments anyone?
39 JC // May 9, 2008 at 23:13
There would f##ken need to be more than £20m available this summer if we are going to make any progress next year. We could potentially use all of that in one transfer ie Veloso.
40 jay // May 9, 2008 at 23:17
I dont think any of the daily mail story is true, they claim owen has been talking for 6 weeks about his contract, yet all parties have denied within the last week that talks have even began, that was, according to the mail only the other day one of the main reasons why keegan was so annoyed.
Also if our transfer budget was only 20 mil, then why would we have offered 18 mil on one player??
41 valle // May 9, 2008 at 23:17
Dosnt make sense does it?… If there was only 20 million, we would have blown it all on Modric when we bid for him… and 40.000 a week is a steep paycut, dosnt make sense either since he is our top scorer and captian.
42 Leo Smith // May 9, 2008 at 23:17
“I wonder if Mike Ashley releases information to the Mail as they always seem to be first to print his feelings and thoughts”
Here’s a comment: Why would he do that? It’s pure and utter speculation, nothing more. There are no quotes, no photos, no transcripts, no nothing. They’re purely attempting to sell papers by spewing sensationalist nonsense. Yes that’s me deriding the mail but I fail to see how anyone can do anything else when this is what they attempt to convince us with.
How on Earth would a Daily Mail reporter know what went on at the meeting? He might know one of the people AT the meeting (staggeringly unlikely) but I highly doubt they’d just call Colin Young up and let him know. What basis does he have for this nonsense on Owen anyway? It’s completely arbitrary and made up, nothing more to it. Why isn’t it in the other papers then? Try this in the Times (fantastic footy coverage on the whole) for a more balanced (if still not entirely correct view). Uses the quotes in context. How novel.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3904976.ece
43 Toonboy // May 9, 2008 at 23:19
thats the mail for you !!!
44 Jim // May 9, 2008 at 23:24
Perhaps the £20m money is an incentive to sell Owen to raise funds.
I agree that none of this makes sense but I really don’t believe that it’s pure speculation, simply plucked from the air.
By the way, there’s more in an article from the Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3904976.ece
Seems more reasonable… but who’s the source?
45 Truth&Justice // May 9, 2008 at 23:40
Whoa Ed,
You’re at it again. Just because lots of people who’ve got nothing better to do have speculated upon your own speculation, doesn’t mean that there’s any value in any of it. Why don’t you go back to being a physicist or chemist or whatever it is that you do well; ‘cos you’re making a ham fist of this.
46 ObaFan2 // May 9, 2008 at 23:50
Why so many copy/pasting the same quotes and story today? ah well.
Time will tell what happened today and the new signings we have will be a big tell. I’d be so so dissapointed if MA isn’t willing to put some cash into the club with a few top players.
So far he hasn’t spent much on players, £10 million is small change nowadays and all I can think is that he paid more than he wanted for the club and is holding off a bit and stabalise the club. IMO this is the wrong approach as we’d stay in mid-table mediocrity at best.
The other danger is to do a Leeds and spend to much relying on CL money and suffer when they don’t make it.
A happy medium must be found, £20 million’s nooo good, thats maybe 1 good player and a spare leg maybe ! lol
We can sell a few and get some £ s in like Zog n Smith if there are any takers but one thing is MA must spend some now or we’re in for another dissapointing season.
KK can get the best from most players but he needs something to work with and backup players too, our squads gettin smaller and smaller.
Ed and others, Oba needs a new contract too not just MO, Taylor n Harper.
47 daiv // May 9, 2008 at 23:52
KK has been silent after the meeting which is not good.
So far MA has spent £9M on players which is not good.
We must wait and see what happens but if MA is only prepared to spend £20M this summer, that is not good. KK will not stay to keep us in mid table.
Lets judge in August.
48 Hamas (51times) // May 9, 2008 at 23:54
We couldn’t have just £20m, it would have all been spent on Modric if that was the case…and we need more than one player.
49 ObaFan2 // May 9, 2008 at 23:57
How much id 12th place worth in the league? any 1 know?
I know the higher in the league you are the more you get.
50 Hammy // May 10, 2008 at 0:17
Truth&Justice…..
Please leave Ed alone, he does a great job as his 4 million + hits prove, he can only report on what is out there and isn’t on the board of directors with insider knowledge, I’ve hardly bought a paper since this blog started and Ed is a real star for devoting so much of his time to keeping this blog up and running 24/7. He posts on average approx seven articles a day and it is up to us supporters to discuss their validity.
If you can do a better job let’s see it…….
51 Marguerite // May 10, 2008 at 0:39
I do not believe a word that is printed in the mail, surely the worst trashy rag ever, can the club not sue the a**** off them?
Truth&Justice - we are all entitled to our opinion including you but I think you should leave Ed alone, he does a sterling job and gives us fans the chance to comment openly on all of his articles. No need to take that attitude. Instead of in-fighting we should be closing ranks against the press / media.
52 Hadrian // May 10, 2008 at 1:10
KEVIN KEEGAN was read the riot act during a four-hour showdown with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.
The Toon boss kept his job but was slammed for claiming the Geordies would never be a top-four club. An insider said: “It was very acrimonious but Kevin maintained he had a right to his own opinion.
“He was given a mauling but at no time did he say sorry.â€
Ashley laid down the law to Keegan, who was . . .
Given a first and final warning to step into line.
Slammed for his thinly-veiled attack on the owner.
Hammered for his criticism of the club.
Told to forget any notion of Ashley being the Roman Abramovich of Tyneside.
To make matters worse for Keegan, Ashley cut him down to size in front of chairman Chris Mort, executive director Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez.
Newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias also attended the heated meeting at the offices of legal eagle Mort’s law firm in the City of London.
Keegan was told in no uncertain terms there must be no more repeats of Monday’s defeatist rant.
After the 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, Keegan said: “The top four this year will be the same next year. We are a million miles away.â€
Keegan was also reminded he was told about the restructuring of the club and Wise’s appointment BEFORE he signed his contract to return to Toon.
Red-faced Keegan was made to eat humble pie by the billionaire before being given the chance to fight on.
The former England boss took back everything and chairman Mort said: “It was a good meeting.
“It was both productive and constructive.â€
Ashley was at pains to ensure everyone was fully aware of their roles and the way the club was supposed to be run.
Keegan took that on board but did try to force home concerns the club is effectively being run from London with no one except the coaching staff based in the North East.
The meeting then discussed possible summer signings but Keegan was told to forget about the £80million transfer budget he had been hoping for.
Ashley’s plan is that Newcastle will not live off credit.
Keegan could make a £15m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, 21, though.
the sun .
53 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 1:26
Hadrian it’s all b**lloc*s m8. There is no way that I’d belive that is the way the meeting went unless one of the people at the meeting said it publicly.
From what I can find out the winner of the EPL will get about £50 million
Clubs att the bottom of the league will get around £30 million.
I’d expect expect us to get around £35 million for 12th(at least?)
This is money shared out mainly amassed by huge tv deals worldwide, roughly £900 million.
So £35 million + 52,000 gate money + sponsorship deals………………………………………. and word is we have £20 million for transfers !!!!!!!!! ……. It’s a joke
Impossible to believe.
54 Hamas (51times) // May 10, 2008 at 1:28
This does not look good if they’re telling the truth. We have no way of knowing though, so let’s just move on.
55 Tom Cairns // May 10, 2008 at 3:13
come on, anyone who even entertains the stories bout us only getting 20m must be off their rocker. it was only a week and a bit ago when we publicly lost out on modric and that no way would have been the only signing of the summer. it just seems so stupid, firstly for the paper to print it but also for people to even entertain it and let it worry them.
56 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 3:24
Tom apparantly it was £6.5 million over 3 years for Modric, maybe this is the norm nowadays but it’s certainly an eye opener.
57 Hamas (51times) // May 10, 2008 at 3:33
Surely you mean £6.5m per year…
58 Toon_Ksk // May 10, 2008 at 3:55
The reporters from The Sun are good fiction writers. Full of imagination, 2 thumbs up!
59 Lawman // May 10, 2008 at 4:00
Maybe it was KK who called the meeting with MA. He wanted to quit NUFC cos Ramos offered KK a job as chief talent scout at spuds.
Ramos has been sooo impressed with KK so far that he’s gone for each and every one of KK’s recomendations….
First woodgate, then modric. Now they’ve also approached Veloso and McGeady!!!
If Ramos is such a good coach, try going for his own players instead of feeding off others. No integrety!!!
Hope KK goes for Luque just so that Ramos would beat us to him….. that’ll teach him!
60 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 4:28
Hamas, yes mate lol
6.5 a year over 3 years. Heard KK say it in an interview.
That being so it seems like we have a pretty strict budget. Hope MA opens his wallet and does it sooner rather than later.
It’ll be interesting what KK has to say today and tomorrow.
Ramos is being very annoying I agree.
61 obamagic // May 10, 2008 at 5:18
I agree Lawman… the Hotsperms should get their own scouts and scout for themselves… Maybe we should be more discreet about our approaches. Anyways, Ramos is starting to really piss me off. I think the meeting was about activity in the transfer market… The thought of KK getting fired never crossed my mind.
Really hope we invest well and buy some young and hungry players like Nigel De Jong!!!!
62 seetow // May 10, 2008 at 6:27
lol @ the sun article.
if king kev were ever talked to like that, we all know that he wouldn’t be around the next day. he is our king, and he works on his own terms. everyone else, MA, chris voldemort, all are expendable
HOWAY
63 Mehzeb // May 10, 2008 at 6:54
A lot of people have been asking about how much the Premiership will award a 12th place club, the answer is 5.9m. 11th place receives just over 6m.
64 jeff // May 10, 2008 at 7:16
just read part of daily mail report,they reckon Owen to be offered pay cut and keegan only to get 20 million for new players if this is true then there is your answer to why keegan said what he did………….The thing I find is that the southern based press always try to rip newcastle apart…..No one else knows what went on at the meeting yet they seem to know everything that went on,f**ing idiots!!!!!! Its about time something was done about these reporters…either barred from press confrences or barred from st james park altogether if they cant report correctly……..I still think Ashley is in it to sell it….He has bought the club cleared debt but hasnt put any money as yet up for transfers……..How come we end up with the tightest billionaire in the world…f***ng typical!!!!!!
65 UTD111 // May 10, 2008 at 7:42
Ed - its all in today’s London-based press mate! Mikey Owen will have to take a pay cut, Kevs been told to button it etc etc No quotes of course but speculation reported in a factual style.
So a “serious rift” at United which was invented by the London press to sell newspapers is over - according to the same London press who invented it. They get paid for this rubbish too!!
As United fans, we know Kevin Keegan - we know the standards he sets and the values he lives by. If he’s still our manager - there is no way he lost the argument to a cockney barrow boy chairman and “Clarence the cock-eyed cockney” Wise.
:o)
66 Eric // May 10, 2008 at 7:43
The Daily Mail reckon, as usual, that they know what went on at the meeting. They serve up their
usual lies this Saturday, It is vicious sour grapes drivel because once again they have been shown uo for writing anti-NUFC shite! Did not know their Sportsmail editor was chairman at our meetings.
67 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 7:48
Mehzeb, don’t know where you got your info from but you are way off the mark.
See post 53
68 Nick Dryden // May 10, 2008 at 7:58
Personally I love the way the club is being run now. Everyone knows that people have only been coming to NUFC for the ridiculously inflated salaries which was the only weapon the odious Shepehrd had to attract people. No one else will pay Owen the money he wants. I welcome his pay cut and a bit of common sense at long last. If KK doesn’t want kids from Brazil, the problem is his, not the board’s who are trying to put the club on a professional footing. Wenger has great contacts and find the kids, now maybe a full time team of Wise, Vetere and Jimenez can do the same.
69 Marguerite // May 10, 2008 at 8:45
Check out below, this is an article by the Telegraph on merit payments for premier league finishes:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2008/05/08/sfnpoi108.xml
70 Marguerite // May 10, 2008 at 8:56
According to an article by John Ley in the Telegraph on 8/5/08 the merit payments to each premier league club is £720,000 per place i.e Derby at the bottom will receive £720,000 whilst manure at the top with earn £14.4m.
Newcastle finishing 12th will accrue £6.48m or £5.76m if we drop to 13th.
71 Taiwantoon // May 10, 2008 at 9:03
I, somehow, feel it is hard to comment anything at this stage… But I want just one thing, and that is KK to be fully backed by the board. The King almost took us to the promised land, and he will do it this time.
72 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 9:11
Marguerite, I have read that article too although it seems a little misleading to me as it seems every team in the EPL will receive £30 million minimum this season from the deal struck by the FA regarding the tv rights worldwide.
The EPL winner will receive in excess of £50 mil and I believe the CL winner gets about £30 million?
The tv deal was arranged by Scudamore last January.
Apparantly promtion from the championship is worth around £60 million!!!
Also demoted teams from the EPL receive substantial sums for the next 3 years.
So prize money (or merit) of £14.4 to the EPL champions is a litle misleading as I say.
A quote from the Telegraph website last year:
Chelsea, the reigning Premiership champions, were paid £30.4 million last season for winning the title, their second in succession. That is likely to be matched by the bottom team next season.
73 Graham // May 10, 2008 at 9:35
Lets look at our approx income…..
Prem League & TV - £50m
Tickets - £26m (inc a few cup games etc)
Merchandise - £10m
Sponsorship - £5m (nowt left from NR as this was spent on Owen)
Other - £5m
Total income this year - £96m (rounded up to £100m - not much cop at maths)
The last time it was mentioned, the wages at NUFC were approx 72% of turnover - £72m. This leaves £28m in the bank.
Therefore i dont think that the £20m being bandied about at the minute will be far wrong.
Ashley has cleared our debts and will want to run things in a businesslike manor before piling in a load more cash.
I rekon that £25m during the summer and possibly another £15 - 20m in January is what Keegan will get.
So far Ashley has ploughed in £250m of his own cash - or roughly 12.5% of his total worth.
Abramovich has spent around £600m - or about 5% of his worth - so Ashley isn’t doing too badly me thinks.
Lets remember - if it wasn’t for Ashley, I doubt whether we would have a club to support looking at the mess we were in with that 72% turnover which isnt too far behind what Leeds were paying - and they were in the champions league!
74 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 10, 2008 at 9:40
whats the point in us just speculating like i have said before, none of us know. but all i can say is that we bid 18 mill for the goofy rat modric and 15 mill for veloso, who knows??
75 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 9:54
Graham, your figures seem pretty close but only highlight the fact it’s going to be another tough season ahead considering we have a small squad and already let 3 players go recently.
We’re going to have to rely on some younger players @ times i guess and hope for some good work by our “elite” recruitment team.
76 Marguerite // May 10, 2008 at 10:26
Thanks for the additional info Obafan2 and Graham; if these figures are indeed accurate, then the figure of £20m to spend in the transfer window could be accurate.
We will, as you say, have to bite the bullet this next season and hope that some of the youngsters can come through, or buy players by installments, which seems to be the way these days.
77 ObaFan2 // May 10, 2008 at 10:58
I think Ed’s picked up on our discussion
78 CRAIGG // May 10, 2008 at 11:06
I love the way the press have twisted this, KK was asked “how far away from Chelsea are Newcastle?” and KK said “a million miles”
Not how far away from Liverpool and Arsenal who are consideribly weaker than Chelsea and Man Utd.
Yes he said what has been obvious to everyone since we sacked Bobby Robson that only four clubs can compete in the champions league and the league at the same time, Everton did fluke 4th a while back and were nearly relegated the same season.
There is absolutely no way that Kevin Keegan would sit there and take back everything he said and why on earth is that cockney bell end Wise appointing Guys like Alan Thompson to the Academy staff surely that is KKs job i thought Wise was a glorified Scout.
Mike Ashley (Jabba) should watch his own stupid comments, If he doesnt want to get his hand in his pocket to challenge the big 4 then he shouldnt not say stuff like
“I want a side to attack Man Utd and Chelsea and become one of the big boys”
How does he want us to do that exactly?
Sign guys like Danny Mills, Darren Moore and Andy Todd on free transfers or maybe if we ask really nicely Sunderland might loan us some of their players like Stokes, Halford or Etuhu or we could resign Chopra.
79 Lawman // May 10, 2008 at 12:38
good idea craig, lets go for those players. hope Ramos falls for it and jumps in to sign those crappy mackems before us thinking he’d piss us off by getting a few more gems from under our nose.
80 Glenn_United // May 10, 2008 at 15:00
Well MAYBE ASHLEY, MORT, Keegan are keeping FINANCIAL AMOUNTS and TRANSFER TARGETS UNDER THE CARPET until a bid is actually made, then maybe we wont lose so many transfer targets!!
BUT MR Ashley you need to back the manager you selected to do the job, so back him with money mate….. HOWAY THE LADS!!! BRING IN THE PLAYERS. BRING ON NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!!
81 craig chisholm // May 10, 2008 at 17:11
the more i see the way things are now the more i dont like it lads. i think mort is a weasel of a man and i think he has too many wankers around him. it makes no sense to me at all. i just do not get this whole wise deal…. why the hell is he here?? it stinks. so far, i have seen nothing from any of them to make me think they want to compete on the pitch. lets be honest, i could not give a toss if they get into debt to buy a player. every other frigging team in the prem inc bloody wigan etc can spend shit laods more than us when they only get half the gates etc and we have no debt now which means not a single bank loan to repy, we were paying millions nad millions a year just in interest before and still managed to buy top players. we are supposed to be the 18th richest team in the world i read, where is the money going ashley cos you aint putting back into the team. i also do not believe that our wages are through the roof either now, they cant be….. we have no frigging players left hardly. they are all talking shit, the lot of them. if they offer owen a shit deal i will send my electonic season ticket to ashley and tell him to stick it up his arse! 20 f’ing million, that just can not be true - if we only spend that aswell as loose all our top guys like owen and zogs and martins then we will be going backwards ffs!
anyone want fat fred back??
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