MIKE ASHLEY PUTS TOON UP FOR SALE
'I've made terrible decisions,' admits Newcastle owner
ALAN SHEARER'S future as Newcastle manager is hanging in the balance after Mike Ashley officially put the club up for sale.
Shearer and assistant Iain Dowie threatened to walk out this week after Ashley was unable to assure them funds would be available for rebuilding.
And now there are real doubts Shearer will stay after Ashley revealed he is looking for a quick sale. Sources close to the club believe he would take as little as £80million for Newcastle.
Ashley said: "It has been catastrophic for everybody. I've lost my money and I've made terrible decisions. Now I want to sell it as soon as I can . . . advisers will be appointed shortly."
With Ashley desperate to get out of St James' Park, Shearer's appointment will only be confirmed if a new financial structure is approved by the club's bankers this week. A provisional agreement is in place for Shearer and his assistant Iain Dowie to sign four-year contracts.
Overhaul
But before they can start the job of leading the club back into the Premier League, Newcastle's bankers have insisted Ashley puts a new business plan in place.
That will include a staggering 50 per cent reduction in Newcastle's £40m overdraft and a major overhaul of a pay structure which has been allowed to spiral.
That means Shearer's deal has been shelved while talks between Ashley and the club's financiers continue this week.
Shearer and Dowie were prepared to walk away from St James' Park last week after an initial breakdown in talks.
Kitty
Ashley said he was unable to provide any funds for players and the managerial duo said they could not do the job under those circumstances.
But within hours, Ashley changed his mind and said he would give them a transfer kitty of up to £20m - on the understanding they unload some of Newcastle's overpaid and underachieving players.
That will have to form part of the business plan demanded by the bank.
Managing director Derek Llambias has a series of meetings scheduled with both lawyers and financiers this week with a deadline of Friday expected to be set for an agreement.
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This article has 36 comments
"Until Newcastle fans learn to be patient "
Try waiting 40 years you plastic gloryhunting idiot.
"NUFC are easily alongside MUFC as the biggest club in the UK.
Shearer is the Messiah who will bring back the glory days under Keegan"
Mackem troll. your lack of intelligence sticks out like a sore thumb.
By ijjc.. Posted June 6 2009 at 9:24 PM.
"I really fear Newcastle are going to do a Leeds, bankrupt, points deduction another relegation. "
That could easily happen. I'm not a Toon, and I don't have any animosity towards Newcastle, but they are too unstable.
The goes waaaay back and includes the moment they got shot of Bobby Robson, employed the likes of Souness, and tied Keegan's hands during "Messiah 2".
They brought disaster on themselves with poorly thought-out snap decisions at the wrong times.
If Manchester United had acted the same way in the (poor) early Ferguson era, they'd still be looking for their first League title in over 35 years. Sez it all.
Stability and some patience is required for success so a manager can build a successful side : it ain't rocket science.
By Fink Ne'castle - Fink !!.. Posted June 4 2009 at 11:18 PM.
seriously get a life it is only English Football and to be honest its not that good, look at your national team.
By Adam.. Posted June 3 2009 at 3:13 AM.
So Ashley will take £80 million, so when Freddie Sheppard steps in and buys it with the money Ashley paid him for the club, he'll still have a £100 million left to play with
By John.. Posted June 2 2009 at 4:25 PM.
Like u Marra Im a Mackem I really feel sorry for Newcastle
They heading for bad times
HA HA HA
By Bryan.. Posted June 1 2009 at 3:18 AM.
In response to "no black and white shirts in asia" toon army singapore! google it
By Dean.. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:19 PM.
at least us boro fans knew we where in trouble after the 3-0 defeat to WBA.Cant help but think as big as the geordies think there club is,the signs are ominous of a leeds,soton etc,how much did Ashley pay fer em and how much is it worth now,talk of less that 80 mil,he gonna bail out good style and leave em too it.wether shearer of KK leads em.Anyway an avin £20 on boro stormin the championship and will just snigga at the probs up the road,
By raggy.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:41 PM.
I am quite looking forward to the Toon Army pitching up at Home Park next season as this will probably help to boost our lousy attendences from a rather pathetic 10,000, and give our apathetic supporters a kick up the rear end and show them how loyal supporters stand by their club through thick and thin!
By Rita Cocking.. Posted May 31 2009 at 6:28 PM.
some interesting opinions there... most utter rubbish.
We have had experienced managers in the past and most have done nothing for us (Ossie A, Kenny D, Rude, Souness, Big Sam even JFK) the list is endless... The best 2 recent managers have been King Kev and Sir Bobby... my opinion this is, im convinced the history books could confirm it.
So... people who are none Newcastle supporters...may I point out that the difference between KK and SBR against the other experienced lot is that they know the area, know what the fans want and more importantly the fans trusted them from day 1 and got behind them (another fact is that they both took over very struggling teams and turned it around) so... that said... we have Curbs (outsiders choice it seems) who falls in the experienced bracket and Shearer who falls in the Newcastle fans choice bracket... so that in mind, who would you choose... enough said.
So the none Toon fans who keep harping on about us being a small Championship club... fair enough, how many other small time championship clubs were on the back page the day after an FA Cup final??? hmmmm... championship team we are, small we aint....
Give the job to Shearer, stick by him and get this Championship show on the road.... and keep an eye on Nile "the lone" Ranger next season... he reminds me on a young Andy Cole when he first hit the scene.
Good luck Al, Ashley... stay at home
By RonBon.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:39 PM.
It is quite astonishing and amusing reading the thoughts and opinions of NUFC fans and where they place themselves in the ranks of "big clubs". Fact is they have fabulous and fanatical fans but little else. International support? Hahaha, try travelling in any Asian city and see how many black and white shirts you will see.....none I'm afraid
Such blind and fanatical support has created such pressure on those in the management that "fan power" makes for knee jerk reactive decisions detrimental to the overall long-term well being of the club.
Admittedly some terrible appointments have been made, Dennis Wise being the worst, but at the same time there have been some good ones but they did not "fit" with the Newcastle way or the fans ie Dalglish, Allardyce etc.
Until Newcastle fans learn to be patient, realise they are not a big club and get some stability back in the club they will alway be regarded by everyone except themselves as a small parochial club.
By gogo.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:08 PM.
Those that keep saying Kevin Keegan got a raw deal need to take a close look at his achievements while at Newcastle, either time for that matter. He did nothing. Face it, he was as big a flop as Ashley is.
By Joe.. Posted May 31 2009 at 4:27 PM.
Shearer took them down. He had the chance and messed it up.
By Boshboy.. Posted May 31 2009 at 4:28 PM.
Mark ,Kevin Keagon left because Mike Ashley did not have the balls to let him run the club.He panicked and brought Dennis Wise in without giving KK enough time to turn things around
By Rita Cocking.. Posted May 31 2009 at 3:52 PM.
Alan shearer is right we need people in the club who love and care about the club.Not people who want to make a quick buck .All our last managers have been rubbish yet we have made them rich.poor buys ,poor decisions.We need long term stability.What do foreign coaches know about our club absolutley nowt.Alan should be given a position in the
club because ashley and his staff no nowt as it has been proved.Ashley have some guts and sort this mess out befor it is too late.
By julie husband.. Posted May 31 2009 at 3:33 PM.
But Pep Guiardiola had Henry, Messi, Eto'o and a whole host of other class players. Who have Newcastle got?
By Chris.. Posted May 31 2009 at 3:34 PM.
The comments about Shearers lack of experience as manager are nonsense at best. He was assistant player manager under Roeder when Roeder was caretaker manager. People also forget that a certain "Pep Guardiola" just won the Champions League this week in his first season.
By Barca.. Posted May 31 2009 at 2:37 PM.
I really fear for this club... Waiting for a sale could mean very limited preparations for next season.
It's already been noted many times in the past week that other clubs plans for the championship season are well advanced.
One bad decision after another is still the order of the day it seems.
Apart from 2 or 3 players and Shearer himself, I wonder if there is anyone else inside the club at the moment that really want's to do the right thing for the club and it's survival. Rather than what's best for them.
Players commit to the club just because they aren't good enough to get a position or high salary elsewhere.
If they had any real feeling or commitment to this club, the performances last season wouldn't have been so poor as to leave us in this position.
We think this year has been bad ..... hold on to your hats, because I really think it will get much worse before things are put right.
By Geordie...Badger.. Posted May 31 2009 at 1:55 PM.
Appointing Shearer was the mistake, why would anyone appoint a manager with no experience with Dowie as an assitant? It is exactly the reason Newcastle find themselves in this postion. How on earth can anyone get a 4 year deal based on 5 points from 24? Get in an experienced manager like Curbishley or offer a one year deal to Shearer there is no way his CV would get him a job at any other championship side...a million for 8 games madness more than nearly all the Championship managers get who have experience I bet Coyle was on less than 500K
By Vincent Sanchez.. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:56 PM.
MUGS
another team that is living on its past and cant accept that they are rubbish now - get over it . you may fill the ground - but doesnt make u a good team or even a big team - it just means you have great loyal fans who i take my hat off too.
u wont be back up for a couple of seasons.
west brom
cardiff and palace next season
By Nick the Greek.. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:40 PM.
Mike Ashley is a clown but a good natured clown. He has tried to do what he thought was best for the club. I feel nowt but contempt for that fat slob Keegan who scuttled away at the first opportunity taking that gormless fluffy headed bag carrier Terry McDermott with him.
Its all up in the air at the club. Without investment in the team they will go out of business as they wont get out of the Championship. Come on Mike take a gamble get the dosh for Alan. Sit on things till next year when the get back up. You will also make more than the 80 million.
By Mark.. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:34 PM.
Stantheman
European Cups? None- fair enough
European appearances? only big 4 and spurs have played more european games (UEFA.COM)
Domestic trophies? Only big 4, Villa, Spurs, Everton have won more.
Premiership wins? 6 all time.
Attendance? Top 5 agreed, but could easily sell ot 75,000 even in the championship
International support? Bigger than all bar MUFC and perhaps Liverpool and Celtic
NUFC has every right to be as ambitious as Chelski! not so long ago they were yo-yo club with one stand and only 5-6 major honours!
By Mug.. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:11 AM.
I really think Ashley should sell up and get out of dodge and take the rest with him, the biggest "cock up" was appointing that little cockney idiot "WISE" followed by acting the idiot himself.
Newcastle are a very big club, but that does`nt mean that what has happened should`nt,
I support NFFC and it happened to us, what they need is a good strong chairman followed by an experienced manager who will be given time and some money, but only in order to turn the club around and start from the foundations up.
And if the fans don`t like some of the players that they have to bring in, then they will struggle even more, it does not make sense to splash the cash that they obviously dont have anymore on big time charlies who are only there for the pennies and not for the club or its fans and most of all its traditions of being a proud footballing club.
This is where they went wrong last time, they have to build on what they have and what they can affoard! and start by getting rid of all the dead wood that got them relegated in the first place, these include OWEN, BARTON, AMEOBI, MARTINS and co!
Get an expierenced manager who will build from the ground up and will gell a good strong team who will get them back up, but SHEARER isnt that man, someone like CURBISHLEY could do a great job there for them, but rest assured if all the rubbish is not cleared out they could end up doing a SOUTHAMPTON
By Tom.. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:10 AM.
I've been a newcastle fan for 15 years. this is the worst thing to happen the lub. I believe Shearer can bring us back to the top.
By carter.. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:10 AM.
Dark days are looming, aministration next and a minus 10 point deduction. Thank god we have a true supporter as the chairman of the Boro, we'll be back.
By Stantheman.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:16 AM.
"NUFC are easily alongside MUFC as the biggest club in the UK"
Really. On what measure?
European Cups? None
European appearances? Doubt you make the top ten.
Domestic trophies? Doubt you make the top ten.
Premiership wins? Doubt you make the top eight.
Attendance? Say top 5?
International support? Say top eight?
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Newcastle and want you to do well, but it is nonsense to position yourselves in any way above Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Celtic or Rangers.
By Paul.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:23 AM.
NUFC ARE RUBBISH HOPE YOU KEEP GOING DOWN AND DOWN HAHA
By Duurn.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:22 AM.
There is no way Newcastle will do a Leeds we are to good for that its just a matter of time we get Ashley out and a new owner who cares enough about the club like Freddy Shepard.All we are doing now is taking out the trash we will be straight back up.Howay the lads.
By John Jones.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:21 AM.
hey mike,come on up hear to hearts and get rid of romanov for us!!
we now have a great manager in czabo ladslo but none of us fans can stand romanov,we also 40 million in debt.
but we in europe!!!
By andy.. Posted May 31 2009 at 9:37 AM.
Scunthorpe away is going to be massive!
By FTM.. Posted May 31 2009 at 7:31 AM.
totally agree with jimbob.Appointing Shearer would be Ashley's biggest mistake of all.Why is it Newcastle need a messiah?A competant organiser with the necessary coaching qualifications ,a bit of know how in the transfer market and man management skills would be a better choice.But the Toon have a sort of doomed aura about them.
Premiere League to league 3 in consecutive seasons? They wouldn't be the first!
good luck anyway!
By Lawrence Taylor.. Posted May 31 2009 at 8:14 AM.
We may go do a Leeds Dave, but if I were you, I wouldn't crow yet, you are playing 'soccer' next season, and i have a feeling that the person who is to finance Sunderland, is of the same 'ilk' as Ashley, and probably hopes it is a quick way to make a buck, he obviously cannot afford a top team, so look out. You could be down next season.
I am sad that we have to pin all our North East hopes on the 'black cats', just joking Dave, good luck, hope you at least get into top 5. xxx
By Ann.. Posted May 31 2009 at 8:12 AM.
jack the lad
That will never happen.
NUFC are easily alongside MUFC as the biggest club in the UK.
Shearer is the Messiah who will bring back the glory days under Keegan
By Mug.. Posted May 31 2009 at 8:19 AM.
keep the faith and we will be back next year!!
By Jimbob .. Posted May 31 2009 at 6:13 AM.
to be fair shearer wouldnt help newcastle,they need a real manager and i expect the fans know this as well,shearer maybe a playing hero,but he is far from being a manager,and i think they look for someone with expereince to bring them back up,but i cant see that with shearer
But good luck newcastle for next season:)
By phil.. Posted May 31 2009 at 5:17 AM.
He looks like he's eaten shearer in that photo!
By jack the lad.. Posted May 31 2009 at 2:24 AM.
I really fear Newcastle are going to do a Leeds, bankrupt, points deduction anohter relagation. Good job I'm a Sunderland fan ha, ha, ha.
By Dave.. Posted May 30 2009 at 11:38 PM.