Newcastle United have hired former professional football player David Ginola to take the reigns initially on a 1 year contract with a look at extending it based on how the team performs this season in the Premier League.

In 1995, Ginola joined Newcastle United for £2.5 million. He was signed at a time when manager Kevin Keegan was attempting to turn the club into one of the major forces in English football, and the board was prepared to offer strong financial backing to sign a number of European superstars. Ginola made his debut against Coventry City on 19 August 1995 in a 3–0 win. He scored his first league goal on 27 August against Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–0 away win, and went on to score five league goals in his first season. In the 1995–96, Newcastle finished second, four points behind Manchester United. This was their strongest league performance in decades, and Ginola was an integral part of the team. The team chemistry was perfect with Ginola fitting in nicely with his new teammates. However, it was a major disappointment that Newcastle had finished second in the Premier League as they had led by up to 10 points as late as January.

Keegan departed in January 1997 and Ginola did not get on with his replacement Kenny Dalglish, who never fancied the Frenchman. It soon became obvious he was heading for a move out of Tyneside, in spite of his popularity among Geordie supporters, some of whom had nicknamed him "David Copperfield" because of his ability to conjure up magic.

Ginola said "This is a great opportunity for me and I want to thank Newcastle United for giving me this chance. I aim to bring new young faces through the ranks and play great attacking football to take this club back where it belongs at the top"

A very nice start, keep it up

Ginola said "Fernando is a great young talent and I can see him becoming a World class player, I spent quite abit of time on holiday in Brazil and watched a few training sessions and this lad caught my eye, he could be quite special in years to come"

2013-09-01 16:29#132751 Seni : A very nice start, keep it up

Thanks will try to

Great start, but that transfer fee could've bought you a whole new team.

"I really want to do well in the Europa League and with the quality of the squad we have here at Newcastle, we should be able to go deep in the competition and make the finals" Ginola said

2013-09-01 17:52#132780 Pauker : Great start, but that transfer fee could've bought you a whole new team.

I know, but I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end

Hehe, Im hoping so too

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Premier League

Your away form seems to be more strong than at home! If you can improve the home form you'd be a lot higher than 5th BUT a good start to the season! That deal to bring in Fernando was quite a lot if im honest but he is a quality player at least on fifa anyway cos never bought him on FM as far as I know

2013-09-02 08:11#132942 patrick1 : Your away form seems to be more strong than at home! If you can improve the home form you'd be a lot higher than 5th BUT a good start to the season! That deal to bring in Fernando was quite a lot if im honest but he is a quality player at least on fifa anyway cos never bought him on FM as far as I know

I noticed that too, think i will have to start being a lot more aggressive with the players at home

Update fairly shortly

Newcastle draw against Athletic in Europa League

Newcastle upset Liverpool with close victory

Tottenham beat Newcastle at The Lane

Newcastle & AZ in Europa League stalemate

Newcastle secure victory against Reading

Newcastle into the 5th Round after win against Wolves

Ginola said " Its been another good month with only one defeat to a strong Tottenham side. We managed to get a hard close fought victory over Liverpool which boosted the spirits at the club and we are still unbeaten in the Europa League. We are also into the 5th Round of the League cup and hoping we can push on further in that competition, let see how November goes, hopefully more of the same"

Paris Saint-Germain & Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign the French midfielder in January. Reports out of France say PSG are willing to pay up to £25,000,000 to sign the French playmaker and whether Manchester United would be able to match that is yet to be seen.

Cabaye has only recently signed a new contract at Newcastle United, but if a big offer from one of the big clubs came in, would Cabaye be able to resist? Newcastle would be reluctant to sell their talented midfielder but everybody has a price, what would you think Newcastle would accept?

Newcastle United held by Wigan at St James's

Another draw in Europe for Newcastle

Southampton score late equaliser to hold Newcastle

Gouffran fires Newcastle to win over Fulham

Newcastle thrash Motherwell under the lights

Newcastle beat Stoke at the Britannia

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