Bassong warns of mass exodus

12 July 2009 12:12
Want-away Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong has warned that there will be a mass exodus at St James' Park if Alan Shearer is not installed as manager. At present the Magpies are in disarray with owner Mike Ashley seemingly no nearer to selling the club despite interest from a number of different parties. Ashley is determined not to let anything jeopardise a potential sale hence why he is reluctant to appoint a manager at present. Shearer remains the resounding favourite among players and supporters to take over the reigns and Bassong, who has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, believes more players could follow him out of the exit door if the Geordie legend is not appointed. "I think in this situation, a lot of players will want to leave," he told the Daily Star on Sunday. "They cannot stay in this situation. "I'm not the only one. It would be different if a manager was in charge particularly Alan Shearer as he knows the club and the team. "It's a mess, Michael Owen has gone, Mark Viduka's contract is over. A lot of players are going and a lot of other players will leave the club." The Frenchman insists he would like to stay at Newcastle but knows he must leave to further his career with a Premier League move his preferred option. "I would like to play in the Premier League with Newcastle but that's not possible. I want to leave for my career."

Source: SKY_Sports