Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle sack Chris Hughton's as manager
Newcastle United have sacked manager Chris Hughton fewer than eight months after guiding the club back to the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]After a run of two points from their last five games, and poor away performances at Bolton and West Bromwich, club owner Mike Ashley says he is now looking for a more experienced manager to 'take the club forward'.[LNB]Peter Beardsley has been put in temporary charge, with Steve Stone working alongside the former England forward.[LNB] Not enough experience? Chris Hughton has been dismissed by Newcastle[LNB][LNB]Martin O'Neill was quickly installed as the bookies' favourite and Alan Pardew, Gianfranco Zola, Alan Curbishley, Rafa Benitez and Steve McClaren were names immediately linked with the vacancy, along with AlanShearer. [LNB]Former manager Joe Kinnear is another man Ashley and his managing director Derek Llambias could turn to.[LNB]Mr Popular: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has wielded the axe[LNB]But, whoever is appointed, Ashley's decision to sack the popular Hughton will anger supporters who have been chanting the 51-year-old's name throughout matches since their 5-1 derby demolition of Sunderland and who have been begging the board to hand the former Republic of Ireland international a new contract. [LNB]Hughton's deal was due to run out at the end of the season but Newcastle put off negotiations for a new deal until the New Year, presumably to leave their options over his long-term future open.[LNB]Hughton has also been working without an assistant of his choice since Colin Calderwood left the club to manage Hibernian on October 18 and attempts to bring in a new man of his choice such as former Chelsea and West Ham No 2 Steve Clarke or former Ireland boss Brian Kerr have failed.[LNB]The man the board wanted to appoint, former player Beardsley who has been coaching with the academy, looks set to be in the dugout for the visit of his former club Liverpool on Saturday.[LNB]But Beardsley cannot be an option for the role if the wording of the club statement is to be believed. [LNB]The statement read: 'Newcastle United Football Club have today parted company with manager Chris Hughton. Goalkeeping coach Paul Barron also leaves the club today.[LNB] Blow: Somen Tchoyi scores West Brom's first goal in their win over Newcastle[LNB]'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. [LNB]'Chris has shown exceptional character and commitment since being appointed manager in October 2009. The club wishes him well for the future.[LNB]THE EARLY BETTING...Martin O'Neill[LNB]2-1[LNB]Alan Pardew[LNB]2-1[LNB]Alan Curbishley[LNB]7-1[LNB]Paul Lambert[LNB]10-1[LNB]Peter Beardsley[LNB]14-1[LNB]Alan Shearer[LNB]20-1[LNB]Joe Kinnear[LNB]20-1[LNB]Slaven Bilic[LNB]20-1[LNB]Steve Bruce[LNB]28-1[LNB]Kevin Keegan[LNB]50-1[LNB]Paul Gascoigne[LNB]250-1[LNB]Prices from Paddy Power at 3.20pm on Monday, December 6[LNB]'Regrettably the board now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward. [LNB]'The task of appointing a new manager now begins. An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a successor.'[LNB]Hughton, who turns 52 on Saturday, was appointed as full-time managerin October last year, after taking over as caretaker in the aftermath of relegation and Alan Shearer's unhappy departure.[LNB]Despite the loss of high profile stars like Damien Duff and Michael Owen, Hughton quickly galvanised his squad and they romped through the Championship last season, winning the title with more than 100 points.[LNB]His side have made a better than expected start to this season, helped by the addition of players like Cheik Tiote and, briefly at least, Hatem Ben Arfa. The emergence of Andy Carroll who has scored ninePremier League goals has also helped.[LNB]But for every exceptional result, like the Sunderland thrashing and win at Arsenal, Newcastle have picked up poor ones too. They have lost to Blackpool, Blackburn and Stoke at home and drawn with Wigan and Fulham. [LNB]The last two away games brought 5-1 and 3-1 defeats and a furious Hughton kept his players in the dressing rooms at The Hawthorns for more than an hour. Newcastle are currently 11th, four points clear of Wigan in the bottom three.[LNB] Bunch of fives: Kevin Nolan helps Newcastle to a Tyne-Wear derby win[LNB]After Liverpool, Newcastle face Birmingham City, Manchester City, Tottenham, Wigan and then West Ham.[LNB]Former captain Robert Lee said: 'I am amazed but nothing should surprise me about Newcastle United. Chris did a tremendous job and was doing very well until this point.[LNB]'I don't think he could have done anymore. They won at Arsenal, got the best derby result for years and put in a great performance against Chelsea. [LNB]'The contract talks stalled so they had probably been thinking about it for a while. Chris could not have done any more.'[LNB] The 2010/11 managerial merry-go-round: Chris Hughton axed by Newcastle to become 12th casualty of the campaign Williamson and Ranger handed Newcastle contracts until 2016Bookies suspend betting on Newcastle boss Hughton being sackedNEWCASTLE UNITED FC
