Newcastle United Manager Resigns
Glenn Roeder Leaves St James Park - Puts Sam Allarydce in Contention
May 7, 2007
Glenn Roeder has resigned as manager of Newcastle United following his side’s dismal performance against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Newcastle have lost five games at home this season and have failed to score in over seven hours of football at St James Park. Their last Premiership goals scored at home were in a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in early February - a Nolberto Solano penalty being the last Premiership goal seen by the Newcastle fans.
Glenn Roeder who had previous managerial experience at West Ham United took over as manager of Newcastle in February, 2006 from Graeme Souness who had left with the club on the brink of relegation zone. Roeder was brought in before it was too late and managed to turn the season around and lifted Newcastle to make a late challenge for a European place. Having missed out on the UEFA Cup through the league, the club used the Inter-Toto Cup to gain access to that competition. While their Premiership form was disappointing the club managed to progress to the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup before losing to AZ Alkmaar. It was that defeat which signalled an alarming downturn in Newcastle’s form. Having held an early three goal lead in the home leg, they went on to win 4-2 but a very poor away performance saw them lose on the away goals rule. Since then, mid-March, Newcastle have failed to win in eight games, securing only two points from home draws against Arsenal and Chelsea.
A strange statistic from Newcastle’s season is that they have drawn at home with the top three in the Premiership – Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal – and have defeated Liverpool. Not many clubs having a poor season can boast of a record like that.
Fans' Protest
There has been disquiet among the fans for some time. Saturday’ defeat brought a third protest against the Chairman, Freddie Shepherd, and manager from the supporters. Pressure has been building against Roeder who has been unfortunate in that with Alan Shearer retiring last summer, he also had to do without England star, Michael Owen who has been unavailable for most of the season due to the injury sustained during England’s World Cup campaign in Germany. Owen has only just returned to fitness, playing in the last two games but has yet to score.
One of the successes for Newcastle this season has been the form of Obafemi Martins who is the leading scorer with 17 goals but the form of many of the other players has been disappointing through the whole team and Shay Given has been their saviour on numerous occasions. Rumours abound about disharmony within the squad and that there would be many changes during the summer.
Sam Allardyce - a contender
Roeder’s departure now creates an opportunity for Sam Allardyce who resigned from the manager’s post at Bolton Wanderers a week ago. It would be the sort of challenge that Allardyce would appreciate and with the financial backing that would be available, way beyond anything he could hope for at his previous club, Allardyce must be a strong contender to take on the role and restore some pride to St James Park and the long awaited success that they so desire.
Newcastle are currently below their north-east rivals, Middlesbrough, in the Premiership table and with Sunderland revitalised under manager, Roy Keane, and returning to the top flight, the Magpies will not want to be left behind by their neighbours. It is going to be interesting times in the north-east as each club strives to steal the lime-light from the other and gain ‘bragging’ rights for their faithful supporters.
