Chris Hughton is sacked, but who will take on this poison chalice? (Action Images)Newcastle United have had a long-standing reputation of sacking managers within a short period on the job, and earlier today they have inexplicably continued that trend.
Steering The Toon through a transition period after the turmoil of Premier League relegation in 2008, Chris Hughton had garnered support from the Newcastle faithful. Wins at Arsenal, Everton; trouncing fierce local rivals Sunderland as well as Aston Villa; a credible draw against Chelsea (who they also knocked out in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge), Hughton has been credited as the one who put the club back down to earth. No pretentious comments that they were going to vie for the Premier League title, no in-house scuffles, Hughton has got them working hard and playing hard.
And it is his ethos that has seen the likes of Kevin Nolan and more in particularly, Joey Barton rejuvenated. Andy Carroll has blossomed into the England spotlight thanks to Hughton's faith in him, especially when the local lad was arrested on assault charges earlier this season.
A positive start in the league has seen Newcastle positioned admirably in 12th, although interwoven by some odd and hugely disappointing results. After a crushing 6-o victory at home against Aston Villa, Newcastle produced an abject performance against Blackpool at St. James, losing 2-0. The surprising away win at Arsenal's Emirates was followed by an aberration at Bolton, and an inept defensive display at West Brom, going down 3-1.
And it is the day after the defeat at the Hawthorns that Mike Ashley and the board have had enough of Premier League inexperience and naivety. In comes, they hope, a top-class manager who has achieved everything there is to achieve in the game. No, pretty likely not. Early favourites for the Newcastle job were Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol and Martin O'Neill. While all credible candidates in their own right, do people honestly think either one can do a significantly better job than what Hughton has managed? This job is a poison chalice and many will now know it based on today's developments.
It is simply the point that Ashley wants immediate success in exchange for limited investment in acquiring new players. The new manager most likely will not be bankrolled huge sums of cash to bring in fresh faces, and a pep talk saying "work with what you've got, mate".
The peculiar timing has confused fans and media alike. We all had an inkling that Hughton would go sooner rather than later, but really this soon? It is not as if their ship was about to sink. Newcastle have not won in five, but still are in a relatively comfortable position. However, with the transfer window opening in less than a month, maybe Ashley just could not have trust Hughton with his wedge of money, whatever it may be. Hughton did not buy many players during his time, with only a 36-year old Sol Campbell and loanee Hatem Ben Arfa being Hughton's only high profile signings.
The signs are that fans may choose to alienate themselves from this embarrassment, while the media look to feast on Ashley. Maybe the fans will too do that. Newcastle boycott, anyone?
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