Newcastle news conference roundup
Posted by JamesB in Glenn Roeder, Newcastle, Premiership | 16 May 2006
At 10.20 this morning Glenn Roeder was confirmed as Newcastle manager, and described it straight away as a "dream come true."
He summed up his feelings by saying he was "elated to have this opportunity, especially as an ex Newcastle player." Shepherd confirmed Roeder had been given a two year contract, and Roeder would be building to the future rather than just focusing on the present.
Talking about the high expectations of the club, he said his aim over the next couple of years was to continue to get the sort of results that he has over the last few months. Roeder said there was no reason not to continue the form that has placed Newcastle third in the form table on the back end of last season.
Shepherd revealed he was disappointed with the LMA's stance on the appointment, and actually said that the people speaking out agains the appointment were some of those who applied for the Newcastle job but were turned away; no names were revealed. Shepherd said he was disgusted with the leader of the LMA trying to stop Glenn Roeder becoming manager, and said he could not believe that a "Union" would act in such a manner.
Alan Shearer's official title will be "Sporting Ambassador" although it is unclear exactly what he will be doing, possibly something similar to the role Charlton has at Manchester Utd.
Roeder then spoke about his blessing for a two year contract. He said anything longer may have made him slightly uncomfortable, but two years is long enough for him to know his chairman trusts him.
Shepherd gave his "Rolls Royce wages should mean Rolls Royce performances" line, and said a top 6 finish is Glenn Roeder's target.
The new manager also spoke about how everyone should have belief in themselves, as he feels he has made "the impossible, possible" by recovering from a heart operation to become Newcastle manager.
Roeder suggested there was a possibility that a few faces would be leaving in the summer, and he would sit down with the chairman soon enough and discuss possible transfer movements. When asked whether there would be funds available, Shepherd reminded the press that there has never been a Newcastle manager that he has not backed financially.
Shepherd of course made it clear that this appointment was one of the biggest in his history as chairman, and although a worldwide search ended with the appointment of someone right under his nose, there is no reason so far to suggest that he has made the wrong call. All the noise coming from the men at the top is positive, and providing Roeder can match his results with some good signings, we should continue to see some progress next season and beyond.
Comments
Hmm. So here it is - after months and months of "searching" we've come to Glenn Roeder? After the biggest names in world football were allegedly interested, a man whose experience extends from relegation with Watford, nothing at Gillingham and relegation at West Ham before his brain tumor is the man to lead Newcastle United to a top-6 finish. Right you are, then.
In the press conference itself, Shepherd said that those vocalising discontent were those turned down for the position. Hmmm. Howard Wilkinson, Frank Clark, Paul Jewell and Bryan Robson were among the illustrious names who were ACTUALLY interested in the Newcastle position, and so the likes of Le Guen, Hitzfeld, Hiddink, O'Neill, Houllier and Eriksson weren't actually ever in the frame.
Credit to the chairman for 'bigging up' his man so much, but come on - what has Mr. Shepherd done, exactly, for his £3m bonus this year? The appointment itself was belated, as it meant no strengthening could be done in the January window. Shep claims NUFC have never not backed a manager, financially. Really? Souness appointed 5 days after the transfer window closed, Roeder just 2 days after, Sir Bobby Robson about a week after, etc., etc. It may not be official tightness, but the planning of the expenditure of this football club leaves a lot to be desired, surely.
Money this Summer is again a possibility. I guess we'll have to wait and see who Shearer...sorry, Roeder can bring in. Our "Sports Ambassador" (how much is he getting for THAT role) makes sure he's never more than a hairs breadth away from a managerial position at the club, whilst ensuring his Aston Martin is aways topped up with petrol, regardless of the cost.
We sat and waited for announcements on directors of football, but for 5 months the illustrious chairman has simply been hoping and praying that Roeder does enough to get offered the job. Given the names we "turned down", perhaps we should be grateful, else who knows quite how much more of a lazy balls-up Shepherd could have made this.
Again.
All the best Glenn may good luck and good fortune go your way, you and the fans deserve it.
What a disappointment… After all these months of waiting, (nothing against Glenn - he's done a great job but really his appointment should've also appointed along with a Director of football - who would support and guide Glenn due to his lack of experience in the transfer market, contacts to recruit players & European Football). A certain on sabatical German would’ve been a great Director of Football
It actually shows The chairman has again hidden from making real decisions, his appointment actually shows he knows squat about the future of football today and really has missed the opportunity to make structural changes that drags Newcastle up there with the Chelsea's & the Liverpool's. What I believe is that Fat Fred wants to keep status quo to line his pocket, rather than moving forward and catch other clubs in footballing sense, like links with feeder clubs, European and South American flair into our coaching structure, and also ability to contract high profile players or overseas players.
Glenn's appointment may be good in terms of English football, but really after looking a what Spurs and Liverpool have done and the financials from a certain website, Newcastle is being milked with the occasional handout – Michael Owen (always going to be a success in terms of crowd, marketing, resale, but downside his wages set new standards that are going to cause problems and even worse his escape clause, - To prove he’s serious let’s go see him get Steve Gerard from Liverpool, that would be a test of his seriousness about Newcastle succeeding
What's happen to getting Newcastle new money to allow us to complete with the big boys, Mansion was being touted by the media but did we ever consider making an approach to Mansion after they pulled out of the MAnure deal - No, a lost opportunity, equally feeder club idea has fallen flat, what happen to the great Chinese hope, apparently nothing, since then it's just been a series of blunder after blunder, shame that Newcastle supporter pay a huge price for their loyalty
