Source: FOOTYMAD
Hughton Puts His Foot Down - And Gets The Boot!
It was an amazing day yesterday ... even by Newcastle United standards ... as Mike Ashley parted company with manager Chris Hughton Things were not right as far back as last Thursday when Ashley went to meet the 51-year-old at the training ground. Apparently issues were brought up (the appointment of a new No 2 on the coaching staff, Steven Taylor's contract and signings/sellings in the January transfer window) and Hughton allegedly - FOR ONCE - made a stand. The Toon were beaten 3-1 at West Brom on Sunday, and it was the poor performance from the players rather than the result, that brought Hughton's time with the club to an end, just over a month after they beat bitter rivals Sunderland 5-1 and won 1-0 at Arsenal. Hughton has long been Ashley's "Yes Man", agreeing with everything the fat man does and the Toon boss has always kept his pecker clean .... but apparently on Thursday he made a couple of ground rules ... and Ashley was NOT a happy man. We hear Hughton insisted Steven Taylor should stay at the club to join the youngsters who have just signed 5-year contracts - Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger - to set a foundation of quality stock. But Ashley is still not happy the way Taylor has spent the last eight months refusing to sign anything put in front of him. Ashley wanted Peter Beardsley as number two ... Hughton didn't ... and that was one of the major stumbling blocks because Hughton insisted on bringing in his own man. Although Ashley has made it clear there will be no new signings in January, he hinted he could be willing to cash in on some of the players in the squad (Taylor and Alan Smith), leaving Hughton's options high and dry should there be a run of injuries to key players. Hughton was named Newcastle's permanent manager in October 2009 after a number of caretaker stints in charge, and the club said in October that they would be looking to renegotiate his deal in the new year after speculation he was about to be sacked. NUFC statement read: "The board would like to place on record their thanks to Chris for his considerable efforts during the club's transition from Championship to Premier League football. "Chris has shown exceptional character and commitment since being appointed manager in October 2009. "The club wishes him well for the future. Regrettably the board now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward. "The task of appointing a new manager now begins. An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a successor."
