Post by groo on May 7, 2007 17:36:31 GMT 5
GLENN ROEDER RESIGNS AS BOSS OF NEWCASTLE UNITED.
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has left the club, leading to speculation that Sam Allardyce is set to take control on Tyneside club. It is unclear at this stage whether Roeder quit or was sacked, after an emergency board meeting on Sunday followed his side's 2-0 home defeat to Blackburn.
Allardyce resigned as Bolton boss last week and was immediately linked with Manchester City and Newcastle, and it appears that the latter opted to act swiftly to ensure they get their man. Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd denied, however, that "Big Sam" had been lined up as a replacement:
"I have never spoken to Sam Allardyce. I don't know where all this is coming from," Shepherd told the Sun. Roeder, 51, was only given the St James' Park job on a permanent basis at the beginning of this season, after receiving special dispensation from the Premier League despite not having the requisite qualifications.
He had been in temporary charge of the Magpies following the sacking of Graeme Souness and, in that season, eased them away from the bottom half of the Premiership to a seventh-placed finish that saw them qualify for - and win - the Intertoto Cup. But this season has seen Roeder hampered by injuries and Newcastle cannot finish any higher than 12th, only on 42 points with one game remaining. Roeder spent six years at Newcastle as a player and has also managed West Ham and Watford.
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Hughes has already been linked to take over the helm at St. James', but personally can't see this happening as he'll be holding out for the Man Utd job, if and when it arises.
No sympathy for the Geordies or indeed Mr Roeder.
Roeder, must have been aware of the huge task facing him after receiving special dispensation from the Premier League despite not having the requisite qualifications. All in all, their last manager Mr Souness could have worked wonders with them, if they would have stood by him for longer.
