Source: Daily_Mail
Chris Hughton: Newcastle right to sack him, insists Freddy Shepherd
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd believes Mike Ashley didthe right thing by sacking Chris Hughton because he's 'too nice'.[LNB]The man who showed Sir Bobby Robson the door at St James' Park joked:'I may be the last guy to tell anyone how to run as football club.'[LNB]Butas Newcastle prepare to unveil Alan Pardew as Hughton's successorShepherd said: 'No one should be surprised. The signs were there, nocontract, no transfer funds and no replacement for assistant ColinCalderwood. I'm surprised anyone is surprised. The writing was on thewall.[LNB]'Remember, nice guys don't win.'[LNB] Farewell: Shepherd believes it was right that Hughton was sacked[LNB] Shepherd added: 'If I had been Mike Ashley I'd have been worried aswell. I like Chris Hughton, he's a great guy, in fact I've not metanyone as decent as him but it was heading one way in my opinion.[LNB]'A lot of people won't agree with me but I think he's done the right thing. I would have done the same.'[LNB]ButShepherd is uncertain whether Pardew is the right man to succeedHughton. He said: 'I tried to get Martin Jol when he was at Tottenhamand Martin O'Neill but unfortunately neither could come. One of thosetwo guys would really have sent a message. I don't know Alan Pardew atall so I can't comment on him.[LNB]'The fans can have a hugeinfluence and do put pressure on you. We saw that with Sam Allardyceand Kevin Keegan, they were out with their banners and what have you.[LNB]'I was there for 15 years so I know what it's like. I'm a Geordie sothey maybe gave me one per cent over what they give Ashley but they doput pressure on you.[LNB]'Ashley's not Mr Popular, he'd put his handsup and say that. He went about things wrongly from the start, why hegot rid of Sam I don't know, he should have kept him.[LNB] Write caption here[LNB] 'WhereChris is concerned, he's a decent guy, too nice a guy and that was hisdownfall but I bet he gets another job straight away.'[LNB]It isbelieved that Pardew will be unveiled by the weekend, with the formerWest Ham boss being the top choice of Ashley and managing directorDerek Llambias.[LNB]Defender Jose Enrique says it will be a joke if Hughton's replacement is not a big name. [LNB]He said: 'The fans are not happy, the players are not happy. We were all happy with Chris.[LNB]'If they are going to fire someone as good as Chris, they have to then bring in a big name, someone who has won trophies. [LNB]'And that doesn't mean he will necessarily be better. If they just being in someone similar, it's a joke.'[LNB] Toon pick Pardew! Newcastle want new boss in for Liverpool showdownEXCLUSIVE: Newcastle need big name or Hughton axe is a joke, says EnriqueToon legend Shearer rules out a return to replace sacked boss HughtonNEWCASTLE FC
