Speaking live on Sky Sports from outside of St James’ Park, north-east reporter Keith Downie has given a pretty grim but honest update when asked about the current situation on Tyneside.
He highlights three key issues – ‘no takeover’, ‘no manager’ and, currently, ‘no incomings’, with him insisting that the former is significantly impacting any progress on the latter (manager and signings).
Keith regularly provides updates on all things NUFC but, like most other reporters, it’s with mixed success. He stated that he thought Benitez would stay before he left for China, though here has spoken well and echoes the views of the majority of the Toon fanbase, with him addressing the big issue the club face on the manager/transfer front while takeover uncertainty remains.
Here’s what he’s had to say about the ‘toxic situation’ currently hanging over the club:
“It’s a toxic situation at Newcastle. There are three issues at the moment: no takeover, no manager and currently no incomings with just a month to go. The takeover talk is making everything more difficult. Will a new man want to come in while that’s up in the air and they could be out of a job in two weeks, two months? It’s difficult for them to attract a new manager when there’s so much uncertainty.
“It’s my understanding there has been no official approach for Rangers’ Steven Gerrard but Newcastle want a man of that ilk – someone like Gerrard or Patrick Vieira, who can come in and gain the respect of the players straight away but they’re more likely to get a man who is out of work.
“They head off to China for the Asia Trophy on Friday. I think they’d like to have someone in charge for the tournament but time will tell. And through all of this, the shadow of Rafa Benitez, who was such a popular, immense figure in the city, still looms large.”
It is classic Mike Ashley that he wants a manager of quality or of a certain ‘ilk’, that will be respected by the players, but won’t pay compensation to get them from another club. Not only that, who in their right mind would leave a settled job to join the current circus at St James’ Park?!
Newcastle have to issue some clarity on the takeover because as Keith says, it puts everything else on hold, with us surely paralysed when it comes to signing players or appointing any new manager for as long as a potential buyout is being discussed.
So far though, it has to be one of the worst summers in recently memory at Newcastle. Selling Perez, no Rondon and deadwood like Colback and Lazaar returning under the guidance of Neil Redfearn – it can’t get much worse.
The fact we can’t attract managers who only have one or two years of experience, despite being in the Premier League with 52,000 fans, says it all. It feels like a takeover has to happen and even within a week or so if we to avoid another season of struggle; the difference being this year that we wouldn’t have the hope and expertise Benitez offered.
Funny how these reporters have an ‘understanding’ on managerial issues but offer nothing on the takeover. The silence is deafening. Something is afoot.
Dave(Quote)
Ashley is waiting long enough that the transfer window closes so he can earn a few more quid from player sales and leave us with a depleted team and club in turmoil. It will be his way to get one final dig at the newcastle faithful
Colin(Quote)
The only explanation now is that Ashley’s doing it to upset the supporters.
Viru leckworth(Quote)
Downie. Like everybody knows nowt never has never will
Davidp(Quote)
Love the word toxic being used to sensationalize there’s story or fable. Does Downie need to be at the to report on the ‘toxic’ situation? Did he see anybody for comments? Did he actually go to the stadium or is it an old pic? There questions need answering lol. I’m thinking these journalists aren’t after the good stories which will win the fans over but the dross barrel scraping *** bits from sky sports loop. According to another story MA and Penfold havd jetted off to Europe to speak to agents. Bit like getting a quote for decorating your house which your selling only there’s no need to paint. Have day off. 🙂
Cocobear(Quote)
Ashley has to cover his large rear incase this falls through, it’s his business and he won’t let it go to rat **** , we have only flogged Pérez for a song and new manager will get it in the war chest, Sky will only know about this sale when it’s through and not before as Ashley is a silent worker we all know that and hasn’t got the time of day for journos also , so keep the faith it will happen all of a sudden and we will all be jumping for joy .
Glory days(Quote)
GLORY DAYS.
Don’t you know it’s reached something when it’s possible to read your post and not know if you mean that, or are being sarcastic. This club has reached such a perfect blend of farce that both comedy and tragedy simply roll into one, horrifically funny disaster movie. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry anymore. And the crowing glory is that nearly the entire fan base feels the same way. He’s rapidly running out of ways to mess the club up.
You think he wouldn’t be that stupid – and then he is. And nobody in authority bat’s an eyelid. Too far to travel I suppose.
Bobbybee(Quote)
I think it’s a bit off the mark to say that nobody would leave their current club to come and join us, if they might be out of work in a couple of weeks.
Sounds the ideal job to me. Leave a smaller club, join us on higher wages and then be awarded huge compensation when kicked out by the new owner. Followed by a couple of months off, then re-employed when the first prem manager is sacked in October.
Brrrian(Quote)