Paul Gascoigne trains wih Newcastle academy players to aid recovery

27 November 2009 11:47
Gascoigne has taken the first tentative steps on the road back to football management by training with up-and-coming players on Tyneside who are trying to following in his footsteps at the Newcastle United academy. [LNB]The 42-year-old former Tottenham and Newcastle player has been out of football since being sacked as the manager of Kettering Town four years ago but now he is setting his sights on gaining his coaching qualifications. [LNB] Related ArticlesSteven Taylor proud of Newcastle's resurgenceNolan happy with clean sheetsPreston North End 0 Newcastle United 1Gazza: don't pressure Wayne RooneyEnglish football must grow up or 2018 bid is doomedTony Blair could rescue 2018 World Cup bidThat represents Gascoigne's attempts to kick-start his post-playing career that has been punctuated by off-the-field problems - often involving alcohol - which is now trying to leave behind with the help of former Newcastle and England team-mate Peter Beardsley. [LNB]"I am really well," Gascoigne said. "I am training at the Newcastle academy with the kids. Pete picks me up and we got into training which is good. [LNB]"It is nice to get involved and be training again. I am just enjoying playing the football and just enjoying every day just keeping myself busy. [LNB]"Peter has been fantastic with me, making sure that I am okay and that I have got bread and milk in the fridge and stuff like that which has been great. [LNB]"It has been good to be involved with the kids. I am enjoying myself. [LNB]"Hopefully it will progress with me doing some of my coaching badges again. I am fit and healthy. I have been training really, really well. I have been training really hard over the last few weeks, doing a lot on the bike. [LNB]"I need a couple of operations but that is no problem. I just look forward to going into training every day. I had a titanium hip put in and it has moved out of place. I need that replaced again. Apart from that I have had 39 knee operations and I'm looking forward to my next 42." [LNB]Gascoigne, the hero of England's march to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, returned to prominence this week when he helped promote Newcastle's bid to be a host city at the 2018 finals at Wembley. [LNB]"You can always tell by the crowds at St James' Park where it is always a full house that it would be fantastic to have World Cup games there," Gascoigne added. [LNB]"It would be a big thing for the city which is getting bigger and bigger with regards to all the developments that are going on. These are exciting times and hopefully our bid will go very well. [LNB]"It is one of the top-three stadiums in the country. Where better to play your football;. It is still getting full houses even now." [LNB]Beardsley, who played alongside Gascoigne at Italia 90, added: "Paul is in good nick. He gave me the credit but he deserves the credit. The kids love him being at the academy. [LNB]"The good thing for him is that the kids remember him but they don't remember me. His goal against Scotland at Euro 96 is still fresh in the memory which is brilliant. It is great for him to be joining in every day. We go the play in the Youth Cup at Doncaster next week and he will be with us there. It is fantastic to have him around the place." [LNB]Beardsley is also convinced that his hometown would be ideal hosts for World Cup games. [LNB]"The North-East is a special place for sport," the former Liverpool and Everton player added. [LNB]"You look at the Great North Run every year and it shows that the infrastructure is there. Everyone that comes to St James' Park loves their day whether they are a Peterborough fan this season or hopefully an Arsenal fan next season. That is what our place gives football and everyone likes the North-east because of football. [LNB]We hosted Euro 96 games and the best thing about the whole bid is that everything is already in place. If the worst came to the worst and South Africa could not host the world cup this summer we could almost take it over now and that is the big advantage we already have. [LNB]"Our stadiums across the country are magnificent and without a doubt for me St James is one of the top stadiums in the country." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph