Hughton offered Magpies post

19 October 2009 16:00
Newcastle have offered Chris Hughton the chance to become the club's manager on a permanent basis. Hughton has been at the helm in a caretaker capacity since the end of last season when Alan Shearer's brief eight-game stint came to an end following the Magpies' relegation. With owner Mike Ashley looking to sell the club, the Magpies elected not to appoint a new manager, instead allowing Hughton to continue on a temporary basis, a role he first took up in February when Joe Kinnear was forced to step down due to ill health. Newcastle have made an impressive start to life in the Championship and only trail leaders West Bromwich Albion on goals scored following Saturday's defeat at Nottingham Forest. HonouredHughton said in a statement: "I am honoured to be offered the job, we are still in negotiations, it is something I hope will get resolved soon. "I have always felt that the manager's situation was an issue, but not the most important one. Getting results has been the most important thing. "Once we have got Scunthorpe and Doncaster out of the way (Newcastle's next two fixtures) we will have discussions with Derek Llambias (managing director). "It will involve moving from caretaker manager to a full-time basis, they have indicated to me that they want to turn it from a temporary role into a permanent one." Despite Ashley's desire to sell the club, no buyer has been forthcoming for the St James' Park outfit with the businessman dropping his asking price from £100million to £80million over the weekend. The move to appoint Hughton on a permanent basis could suggest that Ashley is now looking to remain at the helm of the North East side for the foreseeable future.

Source: SKY_Sports