Premier League news: Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton sacked following 3-1 defeat to West Brom
Newcastle United have shockingly sacked their manager Chris Hughton following the 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Brom (December 5). Hughton’s tenure as Newcastle’s permanent manager lasted for just over a year.
Newcastle’s official website has said, “Newcastle United Football Club have today parted company with manager Chris Hughton. Goalkeeping coach Paul Barron also leaves the club today.” It has been stated on the site that
the club is looking to bring in a more experienced manager. The statement on the site says, “The board would like to place on record their thanks to Chris for his considerable efforts during the club's transition from Championship to Premier League football.
Regrettably the board now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward.”
Hughton’s association with Newcastle started in February, 2008, when he was appointed assistant coach to Kevin Keegan. Following Keegan’s departure, Hughton worked under Joe Kinnear, Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie as the club was
relegated from the Premier League. In the summer of 2009, Hughton was appointed as the caretaker manager; his remarkable performance earned him a contract as the permanent coach in October 2009.
The 51-year-old guided the club back to top flight in his first season in charge, winning the Championship with 2 matches to spare. Newcastle have won 5 of their 16 Premier League games this season, which include a win over Arsenal
and a 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa. Newcastle stands 11th on the league table at the moment, which is a respectable position for a side that has just re-entered the Premier League. The reported justification for Hughton’s dismissal is considered
to be the recent run of form in which he managed only 2 points in the last 5 games.
Newcastle defender Sol Campbell has lashed out at the decision to axe Hughton. He said, “You have got to ask yourself why this has happened because it makes no sense. 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 club is now looking for a new manager and ex West Ham manager Alan Pardew is being tipped as the possible replacement. The managerial post will temporarily be filled by reserve team coach Peter Beardsley.
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