Promotion or demotion for Pedro?

Pedro in his pomp
Peter Beardsley has been given the new role of Football Development Manager at Newcastle United.

This has left me wondering whether this is a promotion or a demotion for one of NUFC’s most technically gifted players of all time.

Pedro had been cutting his teeth as the manager of the youth team and had been getting results good enough to make people start to pay a bit more attention to the academy kids. His new role takes him out of the day to day involvement with the youngsters and tasks him instead with ensuring the local and international reputation of Newcastle United as a youth academy is developed.

Beardsley seems happy enough with the role. Speaking to the club website he had this to say:

“A large part of our club’s future rests with our youth, so this is a terrific role for me. Helping bring exciting young talent to Newcastle United will make me very proud. I spoke with the manager today and Alan made it very clear how important this job is and what a difference he believes I can make to the club and its development.”

In that same article Derek Llambias spoke about what a fantastically important role Pedro’s new job was.

“Peter has been an exceptional ambassador for our club for many years,” said Llambias. “His international standing within the industry, together with the skills he brings to the training field, make him the perfect appointment for this vital new role.”

“We will also continue to benefit from the qualities that Peter brings to the training field. He will continue to work with the Development Squad to support Willie Donachie in the coaching and technical development of players.”

“The board are committed to improving the recruitment and development of young talented players who can progress through the ranks of the Academy and Development Squad. We are delighted to appoint Peter to help us develop a truly world-class development programme.”

Willie Donachie will replace Beardsley as youth team manager.

Is this step up for Pedro? Or is it a step down? Quite simply I don’t know.

On one hand I can see the benefit of it as Beardsley is one of the big names when it comes to talking about ex-professionals. In two spells with United he bled black and white and gave his all for the cause, which is what you expect from a Hexham lad. All the top boys are from Hexham don’t you know!

When it comes to attracting young players there are few that can match the enthusiasm and passion of Pedro. It’s catching and you can’t help but be buoyed when you hear him speak as you know he means every word and enjoys it. Everything he does is with a smile on his face.

On the other hand I can’t help but think that by removing Beardsley from day to day training with the youth players we are removing one of the cogs in the wheel that has started churning out the young players who look capable of progressing at our club.

I’d hope that his reduced involvement counters that, but I guess time will tell.

One thing I do know is that Pedro has been there and done it all. He knows the score and if he feels happy enough with his new role then fair do’s and I’ll back it all the way. Hopefully he can help turn Newcastle into the “World Class” academy that Llambias speaks of.

What a player though eh? I especially love the two goals at 1:58 into this tribute video I found of Pedro at his best. Comparisons with Lionel Messi shouldn’t be made lightly, but how about comparing Messi to a certain Peter Beardsley?

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

121 thoughts on “Promotion or demotion for Pedro?

  1. OH I drank enough before to do me my lifetime 😆 . but you are right most of the Irish would all drink outta a sweaty sock, but us british arn’t as bad 😉 😆

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  2. Think this deal may be down to the fact we have yet to appoint a full time u18 coach. I think they also will want one man to oversee everything from u9s or however young it starts to u18/reserves. Did dogleash not do a similar thing at liverpool before he took over as boss?
    And i challenge anyone to watch that pedro video and not smile. True quality. Messi does play a bit like him aswell.

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  3. legend ,great player but coach? naa………this role is more his line (less pressure for him)peter struggled managing reserves so good luck to him in his new deal

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  4. Have you ever seen a better compilation of goals on that video???!!!!

    He was an absolute genius with the ball and I bet Messi couldn’t get a video compilation as good as that.

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  5. Toonsy@91… John is right, we all know CH put in all the leg work with the reserves and Beardsley couldn’t handle the pressure… 😉 😉

    Peter Beardsley, another Geordie legend signed up long term at the toon. Great move, no matter what his true role is, ffs I remember the bloke used to love carrying the balls in the net after training, and that was when he was a seasoned pro… the bloke is black and white through and through and is as high profile as they come.

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  6. Batty…Laurent Robert was another toon hero for me, some of the goals he scored were immense…the bloke had so much skill too.

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  7. Hopefully the toon are back on track, and on the march again…today is the big test to see how far we’ve come. A win would be great, a defeat or draw not the end of the world. We’re rebuilding and it takes time, but it looks like we’re on the roll again…

    Howay the lads..

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  8. ffs…..old toonvids on youtube, gazza, beardsley, Laurent Robert, Toon in Milan..etc…and half a litre of caffeine… what a great way to start a Sunday…

    Howay the Lads !!

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  9. Batty…Robert could be lazy at times, but he had an exquisite left foot.

    I love to see wingers giving it lowdy running at defenders and putting in great shots or crosses…brilliant..

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  10. Here’s a blog question…..who was the best toon winger ever…..??

    Players up for grabs…please add players as required…though I’ve probably missed a few off…

    Laurent Robert
    Hatem Ben Arfa
    David Ginola
    Keith Gillespie
    Stewart Barrowclough
    Mickey Burns

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  11. Take a draw but will stick my neck out on 2-1, cabaye to break his duck. saylor with the other. On a side note does that steve wraith fella even support newcastle or is he just anti-ashley?

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  12. shouldent put hatem in we dont know yet ! .
    ginola probs wins it but robert was exellent to ruel fox was very good i thought but i think gutierez is up there to i love a winger who can beat players for fun .
    Howay the lads 1 0 today all 3 points .

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  13. Rorycn….yep, he’s Toon daft like the rest of us but he’s no lover of Ashley methinks.

    Munich…..Ginola for me from that list, Waddler wa ok too but he’s a c@nt now though.

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  14. Toonsy: article in drafts for you 🙂 Plus am doing interview later so will be able to get that done. plus will be able to review players performance as I have sky sports

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  15. Richietoon….I forgot about Waddler…..

    Aye he was a canny player for the toon, but is a closet makkem. He was alreet until he left for Spurs, then Marseille, and learned how to taalk proppa.

    In his position as match commentator for some reason he always seems to have trouble saying anything good about the toon though. must be the makkem in him shining through… 😆 😆

    Would imagine Waddle and Gazza and maybe Sol Campbell will show up on some tele screen somewhere today, since they all have a toon / spuds connection…

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  16. Zoë it’s great to have you on the blog, with your in depth articles and summaries on all things Toon…… Louise Taylor watch out…!

    Toonsy doesn’t know how lucky he is either, you doing all the work while he is lying in his scratcher… 😉 😆 😆

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  17. RT…that was a classic Gazza goal, immense……

    Was that you in the Gallowgate corner @ 0.18 ? 😆

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  18. Munich….nah mate, I was stood under the scoreboard….it does look a bit like me though 😆

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  19. messi is only player ive seen like pedro proper footballers a joy 2 watch met peter a few times they say dont meet ur heroes , well this guy is an exception a model pro what would he cost nowadays?

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