Source: Daily_Mail
Chris Hughton.... dignified servant, humiliated by Newcastle
It is a shame that the final image of Chris Hughton for the majority of his squad will be the raging bull who tore into them in the Hawthorns dressing room.[LNB]The moment Hughton shut the door after Sunday's 3-1 defeat to fellow promoted side West Bromwich Albion, he let rip. Because the it was such a rare loss of temper and, act of sheer exasperation, it will have hit the players hard and was almost certain to have the desired effect.[LNB]Players and supporters will have better memories of the man who, with the considerable help of senior players in particular, kept a club alive. The beaming smile, the champagne-soaked club T-shirt, the Championship trophy clinched in his outstretched hands before the appreciative Geordie public who took Hughton to their hearts comes to mind.[LNB] Over and out: Chris Hughton leaves St James' Park on Monday after his shock sacking[LNB] More from Colin Young... Colin Young: Why finding a No 2 for Hughton should be the No 1 priority30/11/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Newcastle pair Coloccini and Williamson pay for their moments of madness but Campbell and Taylor should fill the hole nicely23/11/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE SPECIAL: Tony Mowbray looks to homegrown talent to get Boro out of the mire20/11/10 Northern Exposure: Steve Bruce and Sunderland saying sorry in the best possible way after their derby horror show16/11/10 Northern Exposure: Who'd be a manager... or even a Sunderland fan!01/11/10 Northern Exposure: Too close to call as derby fever hits Tyneside26/10/10 Northern Exposure: Mowbray is fans' favourite, but Gibson can't get it wrong19/10/10 Colin Young: Is Hughton the man to replace Trap as Ireland boss?12/10/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEWhen you win titles, and build good teams, that tends to happen at Newcastle. But if you're in charge of the team which also happens to humiliate Sunderland at St James' Park, then you enter an exclusive club for Geordie heroes. [LNB]The supporters know how to treat Geordie heroes. Mike Ashley doesn't. The clue was in the chanting. [LNB]Every game, particularly away from home when it can go on for an age, the Toon Army loyalists called for a wave from their leader. And Hughton always obliged. And why not? He deserved it. He is unquestionably one of the most decent men in the game.[LNB]When Shola Ameobi battered through the Sunderland defence to score the four of five, yes five, the crowd were actually singing Hughton's name at the time and to the tune of a fond Sir Bobby Robson ditty, no less.[LNB]Apparently it was an act which didn't go down well in the boardroom, although they struggled to hold their own delight on such an incredible derby day.[LNB]The downside was it strengthened Hughton's bond with the fans. Most managers would expect reward, like perhaps a much-improved contract, for promotion, particularly to the promised land of the Premier League. [LNB]A win like that and he should have been signing on the dotted line that night as they all cracked open the champagne. Newcastle strangely said they were delaying talks until New Year, even in the aftermath of the Sunderland win.[LNB]They weren't slow in signing up Mike Williamson and Nile Ranger for another five years, but their manager had to wait. It did not make any sense. Until now.[LNB]While Sunderland have thrived since Halloween, Newcastle have struggled, not helped by Joey Barton's absence through another act of sheer stupidity, apology or not.[LNB]And let's not pretend the inconsistency is not a worry. They have lost games they really should win at home and the last two away performances have been shoddy and ill-disciplined.[LNB]But in his defence, Hughton has been working without a No 2 of his choice for six weeks and has been fighting for the right to do so from the moment Colin Calderwood left his side.[LNB]And they have achieved some excellent results and put in some really pleasing performances. Even a club like Newcastle, with its proud Premier League and European record over recent years, sets the realistic ambition of survival in its first season and they have the base and players to achieve that. [LNB] Good times: Hughton guided Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first attempt[LNB]Supporters had stopped chanting and protesting against Ashley and the equally culpable Derek Llambias because of the wonders Hughton managed after relegation, and the horrors the club avoided as a result.[LNB]Now, they have sacked the man who helped keep them quiet and won back those who just wanted to support their team and, through gritted teeth, were still prepared to continue handing over their wages to the men who got rid of Shearer and Keegan. [LNB]And while some may have had doubts about some of Hughton's decisions and team selections, the majority are clearly appalled at the treatment of such a loyal man.[LNB]Far be it for this column to suggest the subdued will have been awakened by events this week, but their reaction before, during and after the visit of rejuvenated Liverpool, with the possible return of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres also on the cards, will be interesting.[LNB]Under Hughton, with victories over Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa, with the performance against the champions, with that win over Sunderland, Newcastle proved they can live with the big boys and handle the big occasion. The blips came in the routine matches, and that gave the board the excuse to act.[LNB]Few Newcastle managers have enjoyed such universal support from his players, as the owners will no doubt discover this week. Sol Campbell may have nothing to lose but, as captain Kevin Nolan has also said, the unhappiness is clearly universal.[LNB] Farewell: Hughton was booted out as the club chase a more 'experienced' boss[LNB]It is highly likely when Hughton stood before his players for the last time, he knew what was coming on Monday morning.[LNB]He first took the job as the caretaker with the club, and squad, in absolute disarray, and he did so not knowing whether he would still be in charge an hour later, never mind the next day. He worked that way until Octoberlast year when he was finally handed the job permanently. Promotion followed, talks to extend his contract beyond the end of the season, didn't.[LNB]He was a master of talking a lot but revealing very little. That was the case with pretty much every issue at the club, but particularly regarding his relationship with a board with such a ruthless track record with its managers.[LNB]For reasons only they understand, they have taken the view that, despite all he had achieved in such trying and difficult circumstances, Hughton could not keep Newcastle up. There are very few people outside that small group who agree.[LNB]Most clubs have a replacement lined up under such circumstances and it would not be the first time Alan Pardew has been approached. His record isn't brilliant, but he has dealt with boards like this one before which might help. Or will it be Martin Jol, whose exit from Ajax could just be a remarkable coincidence.[LNB]Whoever the new man is, he has an unenviable task. He can forget winning over fans. The tougher task will be winning over the players. And then there is the small matter of winning matches. The run after Liverpool is not a pleasant one and the bottom three is only four points away.[LNB] Matt Lawton: Why would anyone want to work for Mike Ashley now?Hughton betrayal: Ashley the assassin leaves Newcastle fans bewildered [LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan, Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Sol Campbell, Bobby Robson, Martin Jol, Fernando Torres, Joey Barton, Derek Llambias, Steven Gerrard, Colin Calderwood Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
