“Newcastle United Women can announce that it has parted ways with manager Becky Langley.”

Wow. Did I see that coming? No! Do I think it’s the right decision? Not at this precise moment in time I do. I’m shocked and disappointed to say the least.

Only those behind the scenes know the real reasons why it has been done and we will no doubt never get those reasons being made public. Perhaps in the grand scheme of things that is only right, but all that does is led to conjecture, rumours and differing opinions.

In my opinion, NUFC have pulled the trigger too early. I get the level of expectation. I get the massive summer investment and I get that this season is a massive chance to gain promotion to the promised land of the Women’s Super League 1. But what I don’t get is why now?

Perhaps they have someone else lined up and have for a couple of weeks. Many thought that had Lois Joel not launched her late equalising rocket against Bristol City in the last league game United played, Becky may have been gone. But no, there she was on the touchline against Man City.

But it appears, and I may be 1,000,000% wrong, that someone somewhere for whatever reason felt that the move had to be made now to give United a better chance of making the coveted top two promotion places and to leave it any longer might have meant that chance was gone.

Personally, I felt Langley had it in her locker to turn around a tough start to the season which saw United in 9^th position in the table and seven points behind the promotion places. Certainly, the next four games would go a long way to deciding that. Langley mentioning that in her post City presser.

If no significant progress had been made by then, then perhaps that was the time to look at it? However, the powers-that-be didn’t want to wait that long. Football at ALL levels is a ruthless no sentiment business and in reality we should never be surprised at what happens.

I, however, was and as I say disappointed and even angry at the timing. Whoever comes in to replace Langley and I sincerely hope it’s someone quickly and probably will be has big shoes to fill and will have huge pressure and expectations on their head.

If they don’t hit the ground running or achieve The Club’s aim then they too, whoever it may be, may be gone in the summer or even before then. But that is for another blog and another day. I do though expect a significant and high-level appointment.

Thank you, Becky

What of Becky though? The youngest Manager in the top two tiers of Women’s professional football will not be without suitors that’s for sure. She may take time to reflect or she may jump straight back in if she feels the right offer comes along. She will be a great appointment for someone for sure.

This hard-working, diligent, committed, honest, forthright, intelligent football tactician has been phenomenal for NUFC Women since talking over the reins back in 2019. Her record and achievements have enabled United to be in the position they are today.

From playing in front of 100 or so spectators at Druid’s Park when the players had to pay to play and often wash their own kit to back-to-back promotions that got United to WSL2. To playing in front of 38,000+ fans at St. James Park in a memorable 1 – 0 Derby Day win over Sunderland.

To even have games at St,. James Park and smashing records every time they did. To being the first 3^rd tier side to go fully professional and to signing World Cup Winners and Former Lionesses, Langley has been the guiding and influencing light along every step of magnificent journey.

Not just a knowledgeable football person. A genuine caring intelligent approachable person as well who just got the Geordie spirit and knew what it meant to play for NUFC and be part of the community she certainly helped create.

You could see it in her eyes when she talked about it. She sparkled when the times were good and showed concern in the few, and they were few, bad days she had in her tenure. But always, always, always there was a passion and a drive to achieve for this football Club what she and they wanted.

That’s she’s being denied that opportunity feels wrong at this moment in time. It may turn out to be the right decision in the long run but even if it does we can never forget the phenomenal achievements she amounted in her six years in charge.

She loved the Club and especially the fans and they loved her back. She will always be a ‘legend’ within the confines of so many eyes and that’s completely and utterly deserved. Without Becky Langley Newcastle United Women would have struggled greatly to be where they are today.

On a personal note, I want to massively thank her for always, always, always coming out and answering our questions after games. Again, from one-on-one interviews in the early days and many of them after a game to the combined ‘pressers’ in the last couple of seasons.

She has always been available for us and never ever refused an interview nor backed down from a question. She was always honest and always had time for us. Even on those freezing cold days at Kingston Park when we did outside interviews.

I found her inspirational. I always felt better after an interview with her and I always felt she understood what we wanted from her and she always delivered. She never ever forgot those that had been on the journey with her from the start even when the band-wagon jumpers came along.

We appreciated her and the honour and privilege she afforded us with her time. I hope she appreciated us and the support we gave her. She will be a hard act to follow both on the sidelines and in the press room after the game.

Things will move on; things will change but some things are certain. However, comes in has a class act to follow and Becky Langley will always, always, always be welcomed back at Newcastle United after being a massive and integral part of its history.

Quite simply, THANK YOU, BECKY LANGLEY!