Having controversially replaced Alan Pardew as Newcastle United Manager by enigmatic Chairman Mike Ashley, young and inexperienced 'Geordie' Mark Scudder has enjoyed his first season. We are joined by Mark for his first interview.
Garth Crooks [GC]: Welcome to Football Focus Mark.
Mark Scudder [MS]: Thanks Garth, pleasure to be here.
[GC]: Many fans, and senior proffesionals, myself included, were very surprised to see you appointed as Newcastle manager. How did you find out, and react when you were appointed?
[MS]: The fans were right to be annoyed and surprised, despite having a poor season the previous year, Alan was doing a great job here in the North East. He had a great back room set up, and a fantastic bunch of lads. I was approached towards the back end of the previous season, Mike wasn't happy with the way things were going and told me that I would be replacing Alan in the close season. That was great because it gave me enough time to analyse the squad and decide on who would be staying.
[GC]: Transfer wise, last season was a quiet one, having only brough in 6 players. Why was this?
[MS]: With the budget we had last season, 6 players is a lot. I didn't have much to spend to I needed to spend wisely. I brought in some good young players, who will have a big part to play this and in coming years. Not only that, I managed to keep hold of some of the clubs top top players, in Benni [Hatem Ben Arfa], Yohan [Cabaye], and Davide [Santon], amongst others.
[GC]: Are you forgetting how angry the fans were about you letting Jonas Guitteriez go?
[MS]: Let me be the first to say, how sad I was for Jonas to go. He was a fantastic servant to the club in its recent dark times, however an offer came in which was too good to turn down, the replacements I brought in have now justified that decision.
[GC]: Lets move onto results, and it's fair to say you have had a brilliant first season in chrage of Newcatle United. You won the clubs first piece of silverware for many years having lifted the premier league title, and you guided the team to an FA final. How does it feel?
[MS]: Brilliant, the players were fantastic last season, we came through some difficult times, and managed to win the league in the final game at home to Sunderland.
[GC]: It was almost a fairytale!
[MS]: It was, Chelsea were 3 points clear with 6 games to play, with [on paper] a much easier run in than ours. But, they only managed 6 points from those games, where we got 10 and won [the league] by 1 point. Hearts were in mouths when our game [against Sunderland] finished, and Chelsea were still going at 1 all. We started to hear the odd cheer from the crowd a few minutes later, and confirmation was made, we were champions!
[GC]: You didn't have as much luck in the FA Cup Final.
[MS]: We didn't, we were still on a high from winning the league, and I hoped that would see us through. The players were tired and Arsenal completely outplayed us. The scoreline doesn't really reflect that as it was only 1-0. But I was proud of the lads for getting that far, and they know that.
[GC]: Are you looking forward to next season?
[MS]: I am, I have a lot of work to do over the summer, we have a World Cup and the team needs improving in certain areas. Before that though, the players and I will enjoy a little break and come back strong.
Garth Crooks [GC]: Welcome to Football Focus Mark.
Mark Scudder [MS]: Thanks Garth, pleasure to be here.
[GC]: Many fans, and senior proffesionals, myself included, were very surprised to see you appointed as Newcastle manager. How did you find out, and react when you were appointed?
[MS]: The fans were right to be annoyed and surprised, despite having a poor season the previous year, Alan was doing a great job here in the North East. He had a great back room set up, and a fantastic bunch of lads. I was approached towards the back end of the previous season, Mike wasn't happy with the way things were going and told me that I would be replacing Alan in the close season. That was great because it gave me enough time to analyse the squad and decide on who would be staying.
[GC]: Transfer wise, last season was a quiet one, having only brough in 6 players. Why was this?
[MS]: With the budget we had last season, 6 players is a lot. I didn't have much to spend to I needed to spend wisely. I brought in some good young players, who will have a big part to play this and in coming years. Not only that, I managed to keep hold of some of the clubs top top players, in Benni [Hatem Ben Arfa], Yohan [Cabaye], and Davide [Santon], amongst others.
[GC]: Are you forgetting how angry the fans were about you letting Jonas Guitteriez go?
[MS]: Let me be the first to say, how sad I was for Jonas to go. He was a fantastic servant to the club in its recent dark times, however an offer came in which was too good to turn down, the replacements I brought in have now justified that decision.
[GC]: Lets move onto results, and it's fair to say you have had a brilliant first season in chrage of Newcatle United. You won the clubs first piece of silverware for many years having lifted the premier league title, and you guided the team to an FA final. How does it feel?
[MS]: Brilliant, the players were fantastic last season, we came through some difficult times, and managed to win the league in the final game at home to Sunderland.
[GC]: It was almost a fairytale!
[MS]: It was, Chelsea were 3 points clear with 6 games to play, with [on paper] a much easier run in than ours. But, they only managed 6 points from those games, where we got 10 and won [the league] by 1 point. Hearts were in mouths when our game [against Sunderland] finished, and Chelsea were still going at 1 all. We started to hear the odd cheer from the crowd a few minutes later, and confirmation was made, we were champions!
[GC]: You didn't have as much luck in the FA Cup Final.
[MS]: We didn't, we were still on a high from winning the league, and I hoped that would see us through. The players were tired and Arsenal completely outplayed us. The scoreline doesn't really reflect that as it was only 1-0. But I was proud of the lads for getting that far, and they know that.
[GC]: Are you looking forward to next season?
[MS]: I am, I have a lot of work to do over the summer, we have a World Cup and the team needs improving in certain areas. Before that though, the players and I will enjoy a little break and come back strong.
