May 2009 Archives
ALAN SHEARER intends to begin his clearout at Newcastle United by offloading controversial midfielder Joey Barton.
Not only would the such a move be welcomed by Toon fans, but it would slash £64,000 a week from United's wage bill.
And it would help to improve dressing-room harmony after Barton's late-season antics amidst the club's relegation struggle left his fellow professionals disgusted.
NEWCASTLE United's hopes of cashing in on Obafemi Martins have been hit by news that the Nigerian striker requires surgery on his groin - and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
Although there seems little chance of Martins playing again for the club now relegation to the Championship has been confirmed, the forward is one of United's big earners and the board will hope to recoup a significant sum on the former Inter Milan player.
A quick sale would be ideal for both parties but that prospect appears distant with Martins now set to go under the knife. The striker sent a letter to the Nigerian Football Association asking to be excused from international duty because of the impending operation.
ALAN SHEARER is expected to place a £15m valuation on star defender Sebastien Bassong in a bid to ensure a "win, win" situation regardless of the outcome on the French ace's future.
The Chronicle understands that Shearer - who hopes to confirm a new deal with the Magpies by the end of the week - wants to keep Bassong on Tyneside and build a team around the ex-Metz man.
However, Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Spurs are all interested in the player who was Newcastle's star man of the season just finished.
ALAN Shearer's future remains uncertain as talks with Newcastle United's hierarchy extend into a third day - but the club remain "hopeful" of brokering a deal before the end of the week.
Shearer departed the club's Darsley Park training ground yesterday after an eight-hour working day that included talks with managing director Derek Llambias - but no announcement of the long-term contract that both parties crave.
Talks will continue today and with both Shearer and owner Mike Ashley desperate for a rapid conclusion, a further announcement from the club is expected in the next 48 hours.
ALAN SHEARER is seeking assurances that Mike Ashley can provide him with a squad capable of handling the rigours of life in the Championship.
The legendary former No 9 was deeply hurt by Newcastle's relegation on Sunday and spent nine hours trying to thrash out a deal with the Toon tycoon and managing director Derek Llambias yesterday.
It as a day which ended with Ashley issuing a statement apologising to fans for the mistakes which led to United losing their top-flight status.
MIKE Ashley said sorry to Newcastle United's supporters last night but after a day of talks he was still unable to give them the news they most wanted - that Alan Shearer will be the Magpies' next permanent manager.
Shearer spent about seven hours in talks at United's Darsley Park training complex yesterday discussing his and the club's future. But owner Ashley left in the evening with nothing more to offer than an apology. He will hope more negotiating today brings agreement from the club's record goalscorer to continue as team manager.
Shearer's eight-game contract as interim boss expired on Monday, the day after the club was relegated to the Championship after 16 seasons in the Premier League.
MIKE ASHLEY is fighting tooth and nail to make sure Alan Shearer is the man to lead Newcastle United's Championship revival.
The Toon tycoon is keeping his fingers crossed that United will be able to unveil Shearer as permanent Toon boss by Thursday.
The Chronicle revealed yesterday that Shearer will be offered a four-year deal to turn the Magpies' ailing fortunes around.
ALAN Shearer will begin discussions with Mike Ashley today by asking Newcastle United's embattled owner not to include Nicky Butt, Steven Taylor and Steve Harper as part of the club's post-relegation fire sale.
Shearer was at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground yesterday for a gentle conditioning session with the players responsible for ending United's 16-year stint in the top flight - but United's caretaker manager will begin the serious business of sorting out his future today and tomorrow.
Ashley is understood to be preparing a four-year contract offer for Shearer, as well as offering him assurances of a sizeable transfer fund if he can move the club's big earners off the books.
ALAN SHEARER has warned that Newcastle United can't afford to live in the past and must wake up to life in the Championship immediately.
Shearer had no choice but to take relegation on the chin after 16 seasons in the Premier League.
An inept 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa condemned Newcastle to second-tier football for the first time this decade and the fourth time post-war.
Shearer told the Chronicle: "I'm raw, angry, frustrated, disappointed and I am hurting - you can put all those words together and that still doesn't sum it up.
"I was reasonably happy with the first half. We created a lot of chances, and I was always thinking if one chance didn't go in we would live to regret it.
"And that was the case.
"It was a cruel goal to concede. It's nobody's fault."
UNDER-pressure Toon tycoon Mike Ashley will offer Alan Shearer a four-year contract this week in the aftermath of Newcastle United's relegation from the Premier League.
Angry United supporters were today picking up the pieces after their loss of top- flight status, having watched their side bow out of the big time with a whimper in a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
For some, only the appointment of Shearer will see them return to St James's Park, having seen the current regime make a complete mess of this once-proud club through a series of naive and suicidal decisions.
And managing director Llambias - who was getting back to work today - said: "Mike Ashley and I will sit down with Alan this week to discuss how the club moves forward again, and I hope to be able to say more to our supporters later this week.
Recent Comments
"Freddy Shepherd was borderline dishonest the amount of funds he managed to WASTE on pathetic buys ov..."
"The sooner the better! Why the hell couldn't (C)ashley pay Shearer on a daily/weekly interim contrac..."
"don't want owen he is a waste of space anyway..."
"Come Guys, get it sorted if Owen wants to go fine his heart has not been in the Toon for yonks. Shol..."
"Hi Luke This isn't news really, all they are saying is that whoever buys the club can appoint who th..."
"At last there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and we have a thread of hope to cling on to..."
"Howay man Chrissy whatever happened to the Geordie spirit. We're down but we aren't out kidda. Kee..."
"i dont belive anything that comes out of my once loved club,what a shambles,my son has supported bar..."
"Just looked on the profitable singapore website and the Steve Mcmahon who's pic is in the chronicle ..."
"weyyyy.... fingers crossed n get it selt. ..."