The sacking of popular manager Chris Hughton by Newcastle United seems to have come as a surprise to many in the footballing community, but should it?
Houghton is a well liked manager that had control of the St. James’ dressing room. He guided the Geordies back to the Premiership after only one season in the Championship. He’s been instrumental in guiding young Andy Carroll to becoming quite a formidable young striker against some of the best defenders in Europe. But, in all honesty he was never going to be a successful Premiership manager at Newcastle.
It has nothing to do with skill, leadership or ability. He has those by the bucketload. What kept Hughton from being successful was simply Mike Ashley.
With all due respect to the Geordie faithful, Ashley is a Championship owner. Newcastle is a Premier League club. Ever since he took over the Tynesiders they have struggled. He hasn’t wanted to spend money, instead opting for the cheapest route possible turn after turn. He openly tried to sell the club two years ago to a very interested buyer and botched it with his adolescent behavior.
When the club was relegated many of the players opted to stick with the club and bring it back to the top flight. Their reward…an owner who looks for any reason to withhold money from them, including bonuses. It’s difficult to keep up player morale when the front office is doing its best to submarine your efforts. Chris Hughton was doing a fairly good job and HIS reward…sacked.
Mike Ashley is doing his best to guide Newcastle United back to the Championship. I hope for their sake a new owner comes along and rescues them from this man. The club and supporters deserve better than that.
