Toon Soon? - Newcastle Chairman Mike Ashley Sacks Chris Hughton

This afternoon it took an announcement on Radio 5-Live to realise that the game we so rightly love is becoming stranger and stranger by the day. This afternoons news that Chris Hughton has been sacked as Newcastle manager is bewildering to me. I intend to focus on the reasons behind the sacking and what lies in store forthe club for the remainder of the season. I’d also welcome the opinions of Newcastle fans and football fans alike on the fickle nature of the business these days.

Let’s focus simply on facts to begin with. Newcastle United lie 11th in the Premier League table this afternoon, having taken 19 points from their opening 16 games. The club lie 5th in the ‘Goals Scored’ table, with 24 goals. They have conceded 25 goals in 16 games so far this season, which is 7th best in the Premier League. Perhaps crucially the club lie 17th in the Form Guide (based on the last 6 games). This is for me the reason why Chris Hughton has lost his job this afternoon. Form is an unbelievably powerful tool by which to judge the success of a Manager in football. Whilst some may argue that this is entirely accurate, others would suggest that their are many more factors by which to determine success.

Chris Hughton will no doubt feel bitterly disappointed at the sacking. Photo: NUFC.co.uk.

It was just over a  month ago when I began blogging and I recall writing an article calling for Chris Hughton to be given a new contract at the club. In light on an incredible 5-1 win over local rivals Sunderland, Newcastle fans thought that Hughton was now a godly figure amongst the Magpies’ faithful. How things can change in a month!

November has seen Newcastle lose two games to Blackburn, Bolton and West Brom, draw two games against Chelsea and Fulham, as well as earning a credible 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Yesterday’s 3-1 loss at West Brom seems to have been the final nail in the coffin. Despite missing Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan on the day, Newcastle’s performance was abject, nervy and lacked quality throughout. Perhaps Mike Ashley at this point could not see where an improvement would come from.

The reaction from the sacking already seems to be negative (from what I have heard from fans on the radio). Many suggest that Hughton has been removed prematurely, whilst some are already suggesting who will be the next man in charge. In my opinion Hughton’s demise in some instances must have come down to Home Form. The club have won only two games at home all season (both crushing victories over Aston Villa and Sunderland). I believe that Mike Ashley is in himself a very fickle figure. A lot has been made of his ‘business-style’ approach to his role; and today’s news looks very much like an ‘Apprentice-style’ sacking!

A statement from Newcastle United says that the boards “now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward”. Such a quote indicates that perhaps Hughton’s short yet not entirely unsuccessful managerial career is no longer what Newcastle are looking for. If Mike Ashley truly feels that Chris Hughton has taken Newcastle as far as he can considering his managerial experience, then perhaps today’s news is not as shocking as we are making out.

I am a firm believer (particularly in football) that people must be given time to make an impact. Chris Hughton has earned some credible victories this season and they are what he will be remembered for now. Yes he lacks managerial experience, but I believe he had plenty more to offer at St James’ Park before his untimely sacking.

So what will now happen to Newcastle United? Well, if I was a currently unemployed football manager I’m not sure I would be too tempted to apply for the position. Over many years Newcastle’s Chairman have shown a distinct lack of patience towards the clubs’ managers; shown by the fact that they have got through seven managers in just under seven years (including Alan Shearer). In light of such poor stability I do not see things radically improving at Newcastle. Of course, a lot will depend on who now comes to the club. As an Aston Villa fan I am shocked to learn that Martin O’Neill has been made the bookies’ favorite. Likewise I think the appointment of Alan Shearer would for many reasons be wrong. As an all-time hero at the club, I do not think he will be a suitable solution, given his lack of managerial experience and his harsh treatment during his short tenure as manager previously.

Interesting times lie ahead at the club. Whoever is appointed will ultimately decide the club’s fate this season in the league. I do now believe that such instability and fuss at the club will see Newcastle fighting for their lives come May 2011. As for Hughton, he will now be sitting and planning his next move; one I think will take him back to the realms of the English Championship until his experiences have increased.

What do you think the future holds for Newcastle? and do you agree with my thoughts that Chris Hughton has been prematurely and harshly dismissed as manager?

DH