NUFC coach Chris Hughton sacked: Whose decision was that?!?

Didn't Chris Hughton raised Newcastle United from the Championship into the Premier League after just one season? Didn't he do so as champions of the Championship? Unbeaten all season at home in the Championship? Three months into the EPL, Newcastle, candidates for relegation at the start of the season, have recorded memorable wins against the likes of Arsenal at The Emirates for the first time in 5 years I believe, and a 5-1 drubbing of Sunderland, their bitter North-East rivals. They are currently 11th in the table.

Despite how Hughton had to raise not only the club back into the EPL, he had to raise its morale, its confidence, get to the players, make them believe in him, make them believe they can go back up, and he did it all very well. And yet, a decision was made to release him from the club three months in, which will undoubtedly ask many questions that will remain unanswered. Why? Why now?? Who will replace him? Will it affect the players' performance?

But with bad results consisting of a drubbing themselves at the hands of Bolton, and a home defeat to another promoted side in Blackpool, Hughton appeared to have his card marked from a while back. Blaming his lack of experience for why he had to go, owner Mike Ashley has not left himself with much respect amongst the fans yet again, some of whom felt he wasn't in touch with their expectations. Many of them would have knighted Hughton, much less kept him at the club.

A few players have expressed their disappointment, and shock, at the decision. A balance of good results with bad, they were all still behind the coach. And he made a few good signings, Newcastle signings, the type that fitted in with the club - Sol Campbell, Mike Williamson, Peter Lovenkrands, Wayne Routledge - those who offered something that collectively made for a decent, fighting side capable on their day of being hard to beat. Now the players face responding to interim coach Peter Beardsley for the time being, again another unassured person in charge of the players.

What is Mike Ashley going to do next at NUFC - change their home strip colours??



RedsMan.