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'.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.'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.'Remember, nice guys don't win.' Farewell: Shepherd believes it was right that Hughton was sacked 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.'A lot of people won't agree with me but I think he's done the right thing. I would have done the same.'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.'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.'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.'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. Write caption here '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.'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.Defender Jose Enrique says it will be a joke if Hughton's replacement is not a big name. He said: 'The fans are not happy, the players are not happy. We were all happy with Chris.'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. 'And that doesn't mean he will necessarily be better. If they just being in someone similar, it's a joke.' 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

Source: Daily_Mail