Houghton’s sacking a shameful moment for football – Part 1
Chris Houghton brought Newcastle United dignity, respect, stability and most importantly Premiership. So to sack him only after 8 months of a record breaking season makes sense to only an idiot at the very best.
It really is a sad day in football. A manager loved by fans, players and respected by other managers has come under the knife because he isn’t a big enough name for Newcastle. The question is, are Newcastle that Big now?
One of English footballs most decorated clubs; Newcastle United has been under crisis since the takeover by Mike Ashley and this recent action really does sums it up for Newcastle and their standing in English football. The club
is becoming nothing less than a joke and one can only feel sorry for the players and to a certain extent the fans (who are by far the most demanding in world football).
Mike Ashley’s wayward decision making has been highlighted time and again. From his pleading of Kevin Keegan to return to office for a third time, to the appointment of Alan Shearer for a couple of games, few decisions have come
as big a shock as that of the dismissal of Houghton.
The 51-year old was never given his due share of respect but the former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland defender kept on doing his job quite effectively. After the slow start rumours surfaced that Houghton’s job was under threat,
but Houghton’s response with a 5-1 mauling of arch rivals Sunderland saved his job for a few more weeks.
A promise of giving Houghton a new contract was nothing but a lie. In a shameful statement at the end of October, which will only make further mockery of the club hierarchy, Newcastle said that they intend to keep Houghton as their
Manager for the long run.
“Chris is out Manager and will remain our Manager and it is our intention to re-negotiate his contract at the end of the year.”
Well, the end of the year has not come but Houghton is gone. His sacking has been rightly met with widespread criticism of the Newcastle management. The fans have shown their disgust at the departure of their Manager and players
have come out and said that they have been left in ‘shock and disappointment’.
Mike Ashley was under no pressure to get rid of his Manager. Fans and players had continuously backed Houghton. It was after a long time that Newcastle had a crisis free time and in Houghton they found a humble and simple manager,
who had restored the clubs respect and guided them back to the Premier League after only one season in the Championship.
Newcastle players have been quick to show their disappointment at this decision. Danny Simpson and Jonas Gutierrez have registered their feelings on Twitter while Sol Campbell has come out and expressed his disgust at the strange
departure of his Manager.
"You have got to ask yourself why this has happened because it makes no sense," Campbell said.
"Here is a guy who has done an unbelievable job. He got the club back into the Premier League and any manager would have been rewarded for that with a new contract - but Chris wasn't. The players are sure to be asking themselves
'what the h**l is going on?’ that is only natural."
Campbell was adamant that this will ‘hit’ the players hard and affect the morale of the dressing room. None of the players are happy at the timing and the manner of his departure. Newcastle have gone 5 games without a win but are
still in a healthy 11th position on the table.
Continued in part 2
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