After HBA and M'biwa left the club late on Monday evening with no replacements arriving the level of frustration and anger went up a level on Tyneside.
NUFC had the opportunity to build bridges with the fans and it did appear during the summer they were making an effort in improving with the squad. Signings like Cabella, De Jong, and Jannmat excited the Toon Army. However we all know we are at least 2 quality players short and are only 1 injury away from a defensive crisis.
Alan Pardew has never been Mr popular on Tyneside and now I really believe there is no way back for him in the eyes of the fans. His decision making is poor, his communication is weak and we cannot trust a word he says. I fully expect the return of the toxic atmosphere which we experienced at SJP last season.
This week the Independent newspaper ran the story at AP has 2 games to save his job. Next up we play Southampton away & Hull at home - both games we lost last year. So if the Independent is to be believed - and they usually are, then the chances of Mike Ashley firing his manager have to be high.
With this in mind I wanted to look at who I realistically feel could replace AP at St James Park.
Lets start with Tony Pulis. I have never been a fan of Pulis although any football fan has to give him credit for the job he did at Crystal Palace last season. However prior to that lets not forget the awful brand of football he created at Stoke City. Yes he kept then in the league for many years, but we need to be aiming higher than survival football. I would rather than Big Sam back than Pulis.
The attraction for Mike Ashley will be that Pulis is current without a club so not compensation would be due, however Pulis walked away from Palace due to a interfering chairman so I could not see him working under the Ashley regime.
Also I cannot respect a manager who wears an awful club shop cap on the sideline!
David Moyes - After his short spell at Man Utd I think Moyes would jump at the chance to manage NUFC. He did a cracking job at Everton with a small squad, and a tight chairman - exactly what we have. He cultivated a great team unity and spirit which enabled him to get the best out of his team who regularly overachieved. Moyes would take no nonsense and could be trusted to run the club from top to bottom. I believe Ashley has tried to recruit Moyes in the past and I really hope he will return for Scotsman if AP is shown the door.
Frank De Boer - The Dutch legend is currently managing Ajax who he has lead to numerous league championships. You might ask 'Why on earth would he leave Ajax to come to NUFC' well for the same reason we signed the Ajax captain Siem De Jong. This being that the Dutch league is nothing compared to the Premiership where everyone wants to work. We did get a small mention from De Boer back when he was linked with the Tottenham job “I see opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur, just as Liverpool and Newcastle, they are sleeping giants". Well realistically none of the top jobs are going to be available any time so soon De Boer may well see us as his best opportunity to lead a Premiership team.
I also wanted to give a noticeable mention to Lee Clark & Peter Beardsley - both are NUFC legends who would pour their heart and soul into the club - but for me this not enough anymore. These two Geordies would be popular appointments who would get the backing of the fans - Lovely lads, just not top managers.
A surprise candidate could well be Glenn Hoddle. We all know Ashley is a Spurs fan so appointing a Spurs legend with a solid managerial background cannot be ruled out.
For me Moyes is the obvious choice followed closely by the impressive De Boer. One thing for sure Alan Pardew's days on Tyneside must be numbered.
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| De Boer to follow De Jong to St James? |
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| Happier times for Moyes |
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