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I watch the final few embers of Newcastle's last game of the season, embers that are soon dashed by the referees whistle. Another poor performance from my beloved team is ended with a chorus of boos and expletives aimed at manager Alan Pardew. It's nothing like the St James Park I once called home. I leave my box seat quickly, not in disgust of Alan, more the fact that I hate the feeling of negativity around my second home, it just depresses me. I must have been in my car for only twenty minutes before receiving a text from owner Mike Ashley saying, "Alan, get back to the stadium. I need to see you right away". This was entirely out of the blue, as me and Mike hadn't spoken since my last stint as manager. I drove back very confused with thousands of questions.
I arrived back at the ground and was hastily shown to the boardroom. In sat Mike and Joe Kinnear. Before I could say anything, Mike got talking; "Alan, I'll cut to the chase. We've decided to terminate Pardew’s contract and we want you to be Newcastle's manager". I was taken aback. My last experience working with Mike wasn't a great one and adding Kinnear into the mix made the offer much worse. I paced up and down the room in silence, my mind conflicted. It felt like an eternity and must have been for them, as I think they wanted a instant yes or no. I then came to the conclusion that the club had been so good to me for years, that I couldn't turn them down, plus I wanted redemption for relegating the club in 2009. After my verbal agreement, Kinnear stated what the club wanted of me, they wanted to reenergise the fans by bringing through young talent and playing attacking football. He said it was for the fans, but deep down I felt it was done in order regain money the club lost through poor attendances, or maybe it's me being pessimistic. I agreed to the clubs demands and was told to keep quiet until the deal was signed. Twenty four hours later and Pardew was 'relived of his duties' and I was named as his successor.
I arrived at Darsley Park three days later as I wanted to have time to assess my team and staff, as well as the training ground facilities - which were of a high standard. Day one and I already had decisions to make as I'd only been informed that assistant coach, John Carver and goalkeeper coach, Andy Woodman had left after Pardew’s sacking. The picking of a new assistant was highly important as I was still relatively inexperienced manager. So I made a few calls and got in a man who was not just experienced but was someone who I could trust to be able to air their own opinions. As its pointless having a yes man. That man was, Iain Dowie.
As I was leaving the training ground I got a text from Kinnear, "We will need to meet soon to discuss possible transfers. I might have a deal done to sell Cisse, to help bring in some extra cash". It was finally clear what he was doing at the club, he wanted to be in charge of transfers and I'd have to deal with it. Well it was going to be an uphill battle from here, as I wasn't going to let are best striker be sold.
I watch the final few embers of Newcastle's last game of the season, embers that are soon dashed by the referees whistle. Another poor performance from my beloved team is ended with a chorus of boos and expletives aimed at manager Alan Pardew. It's nothing like the St James Park I once called home. I leave my box seat quickly, not in disgust of Alan, more the fact that I hate the feeling of negativity around my second home, it just depresses me. I must have been in my car for only twenty minutes before receiving a text from owner Mike Ashley saying, "Alan, get back to the stadium. I need to see you right away". This was entirely out of the blue, as me and Mike hadn't spoken since my last stint as manager. I drove back very confused with thousands of questions.
I arrived back at the ground and was hastily shown to the boardroom. In sat Mike and Joe Kinnear. Before I could say anything, Mike got talking; "Alan, I'll cut to the chase. We've decided to terminate Pardew’s contract and we want you to be Newcastle's manager". I was taken aback. My last experience working with Mike wasn't a great one and adding Kinnear into the mix made the offer much worse. I paced up and down the room in silence, my mind conflicted. It felt like an eternity and must have been for them, as I think they wanted a instant yes or no. I then came to the conclusion that the club had been so good to me for years, that I couldn't turn them down, plus I wanted redemption for relegating the club in 2009. After my verbal agreement, Kinnear stated what the club wanted of me, they wanted to reenergise the fans by bringing through young talent and playing attacking football. He said it was for the fans, but deep down I felt it was done in order regain money the club lost through poor attendances, or maybe it's me being pessimistic. I agreed to the clubs demands and was told to keep quiet until the deal was signed. Twenty four hours later and Pardew was 'relived of his duties' and I was named as his successor.
I arrived at Darsley Park three days later as I wanted to have time to assess my team and staff, as well as the training ground facilities - which were of a high standard. Day one and I already had decisions to make as I'd only been informed that assistant coach, John Carver and goalkeeper coach, Andy Woodman had left after Pardew’s sacking. The picking of a new assistant was highly important as I was still relatively inexperienced manager. So I made a few calls and got in a man who was not just experienced but was someone who I could trust to be able to air their own opinions. As its pointless having a yes man. That man was, Iain Dowie.
As I was leaving the training ground I got a text from Kinnear, "We will need to meet soon to discuss possible transfers. I might have a deal done to sell Cisse, to help bring in some extra cash". It was finally clear what he was doing at the club, he wanted to be in charge of transfers and I'd have to deal with it. Well it was going to be an uphill battle from here, as I wasn't going to let are best striker be sold.
Hope it goes well for you and any help you need with any Newcastle related things, just ask 
