Mike Ashley interview in the official club magazine

[ewerk 30598]

ABA?

Anyone But Ashley

 

I'd say he's the opposite myself, given the support he had for Shepherd I don't think it matters who is in charge, if they're not Shepherd he'll go out of his way to find a reason to have a pop at them.

 

Edit: Which I suppose is what you're saying in your previous post.

 

more bollocks.

 

Quite amazing all this shite, especially from someone was an anybody but Shepherd person for years ..... even when we were in the CL too I would imagine, if not then you have a short memory

 

Can't get my head around the fact that I've paid for the next 3 years [ie £1334] and cretins are saying I'm anti Ashley and want him to fail etc etc blah blah....how old are you ?

 

So you'd swallow FFS's spewings but not FMA's? It's still spew, Leazes.

 

no, I just said he's talking bollocks, and so are you

 

I may talk bollocks but I know you're just being a stubborn arse. Shepherd fucked and was fucking the club until he left.

 

But there's no budging an inch with you, is there?

 

"Ashley is evil, Ashley is bad..."

 

Just repeat with fingers in ears, eh?

 

you say I don't budge an inch, then proclaim that everything Shepherd did was shite [with no mention of the major shareholders?]

 

Look at yourself man

 

I didn't say that.

 

And I'm sure Freddie did wonders with the club but I'm having a hard time remembering what the hell they were because I couldn't see any end result of it on the pitch. Where it matters. He had over 10 years, man.

 

The club was gonna go under, Leazes. It was fucked.

 

 

Now look at yourself.

 

To be fair you can't say that we didn't have any good times under Shepherd, unfortunately we weren't able to maintain that momentum due to a couple of disastrous board decisions.

[Happy Face 29]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Happy Face

[LeazesMag 0]

you say I don't budge an inch, then proclaim that everything Shepherd did was shite [with no mention of the major shareholders?]

 

Look at yourself man

 

I didn't say that.

 

And I'm sure Freddie did wonders with the club but I'm having a hard time remembering what the hell they were because I couldn't see any end result of it on the pitch. Where it matters. He had over 10 years, man.

 

The club was gonna go under, Leazes. It was fucked.

 

 

Now look at yourself.

 

it was going to go under in 1991/92.

 

You're talking shite, and proving my point. Because the club was light years better off than it was in 1991.

 

1991 was when Sir John took over, wasn't it?

 

As I remember he did an admirable job, then passed it on to Freddie Shepherd. Who in '07 was just about to put us roughly about where we were in '91. No money. Going nowhere fast.

 

but whatever, fella. Fingers still firmly in ears? Then continue your mantra.

 

you can - rather naively - continue to believe that the major shareholders of a football club with a mult million fortune in it - had zero input if you like.

 

What appears to escape you, is that it was the team manager who was the major factor in the rise of a football club, it always is.

 

He was backed by his board, and got results. He was also chosen as manager by Freddie fletcher, Douglass Hall and Freddie Shepherd. Sir John Hall didn't want him, but you can ignore this too if it doesn't suit your opinion.

 

The club was going under in 1991, it was never going under in 2006. Scaremongering, put about by people with an agenda and a mantra, and you fall for it.

Edited August 12, 2008 by LeazesMag

[LeazesMag 0]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

Edited August 12, 2008 by LeazesMag

[Tooj 17]

We haven't had a good one of these for a while.

[Happy Face 29]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

[LeazesMag 0]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

 

Fair enough, what are you criticising it for then ?

 

I was for dalglish [but gutted that Keegan had gone], wasn't really sure about Gullit because I don't care for all that sexy football and entertainment rubbish.

[Happy Face 29]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

 

Fair enough, what are you criticising it for then ?

 

I was for dalglish [but gutted that Keegan had gone], wasn't really sure about Gullit because I don't care for all that sexy football and entertainment rubbish.

 

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

[LeazesMag 0]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

 

Fair enough, what are you criticising it for then ?

 

I was for dalglish [but gutted that Keegan had gone], wasn't really sure about Gullit because I don't care for all that sexy football and entertainment rubbish.

 

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

 

my point being that if he has the wrong idea and isn't ambitious, then he will end up wasting Keegan.

[Happy Face 29]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

 

Fair enough, what are you criticising it for then ?

 

I was for dalglish [but gutted that Keegan had gone], wasn't really sure about Gullit because I don't care for all that sexy football and entertainment rubbish.

 

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

 

my point being that if he has the wrong idea and isn't ambitious, then he will end up wasting Keegan.

 

Well if (like Asley says) Keegan is identifying the players and what he'd pay for them that's not a problem.

[LeazesMag 0]

At the end of the day* all the owners over the last 15 years have backed their managers.

 

It's just that Shepherd appointed Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder and Allardyce to varying degrees of failure.

 

The only appointment Ashley has made is Keegan so let's wait and see how that works out.

 

*EDIT: Shit, did I just write that.

 

Sir John Hall "hows the club going Freddie lad"

 

Fred "oh OK John mate, we've just had to change the manager"

 

Sir John "ok Fred you just appoint who you like son and don't bother me with trivialities"

 

 

I'd like to know what objection you had with a manager who won premiership titles with 2 different clubs by the way, and an up and coming one who had just won the FA Cup ......... unless you are that stupid shite on NO who uses hindsight all the time ie Ozzie Mandiarse, or even worse, thickmick

 

Shepherd/Hall then.

 

I was dead against Dalglish getting the job but all for Gullit.

 

Fair enough, what are you criticising it for then ?

 

I was for dalglish [but gutted that Keegan had gone], wasn't really sure about Gullit because I don't care for all that sexy football and entertainment rubbish.

 

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

 

my point being that if he has the wrong idea and isn't ambitious, then he will end up wasting Keegan.

 

Well if (like Asley says) Keegan is identifying the players and what he'd pay for them that's not a problem.

 

Basically, you're still wrong, because managers will always be most attracted to the club who show they have high ambition, the same as players.

Edited August 12, 2008 by LeazesMag

[wykikitoon 20129]

Aye, just reading it myself. Good read

[TheMoog 0]

Mike Ashley won't talk to the media, but has told of his Toon takeover in a Newcastle United publication.

Ashley says wearing his black and white shirt and sitting with the Toon Army is not a gimmick, saying he feels the same frustrations they do.

 

He denies ever having showdown talks with Kevin Keegan, and he claims the manager's relationship with Dennis Wise is not as frosty as some claim.

 

He claims he didn't buy Newcastle because of any specific link to the club, or that he supported the club, but because it was a big club.

 

Ashley: "It was the quickest I've ever done a deal of that size - we're talking only a few days. I was told there was an opportunity to acquire Sir John Hall's stake in Newcastle United, that he may be a seller but only if somebody acted without any delay because he didn't want to cause any form of disruption for the club.

 

"The last thing Sir John wanted was a long drawn-out affair because he feared that wouldn't be good for Newcastle United.

 

"The deal was put to me on a Saturday. By the Monday, in advance of speaking to Sir John, I'd deposited the equivalent of money we hoped he would accept for his shares at the lawyers and on the Tuesday the deal was effectively done.

 

"By Wednesday (May 23, 2007) the announcement was public and that was the first anyone, including the media, knew about it. Once I was told about it, it was done very quickly. Sir John was ready to act if I was and it was a very straightforward process.

 

"Maybe I could have bought a smaller club, but it just wouldn't have been the same challenge. It's like settling for the high jump when really you want to do the pole vault - you want more excitement so you go higher.

 

"I was being offered the chance to own one of the jewels, one of the diamonds of the Premier League. There was no hesitation, why would there be?

 

"Financially, the club was in a difficult position because I really do think that it had over-extended itself.

 

"We first heard about the potential sale on a Saturday and had done the deal by the Wednesday, so if you are asking if we did due diligence before buying then the answer has to be no.

 

"But would I change anything about that process? No. Do I regret anything? Absolutely not. What I will add is that one of the most unfortunate things about Newcastle United finances at the time was the amount of money still owed on players signed in comparison to the amount of income that was due off players who had gone.

 

"There is still £27m net to pay on transfers that were done before I came. So probably in the latter years before we came in could you argue that the club was beginning to lose its way. It has also already taken upfront payments from commercial deals and sponsorships which didn't help us at all.

 

"It seemed as though the club was in a very downward spiral, one it would have found very hard to come out of.

 

"Apart from the purchase of the club and the associated costs that come with that, I've put in a further £100m to reduce debts and expect no interest is paid on that. Yet still we have the outstanding debt of the monies still owed on player transfers.

 

"I wear my strip and I go in with the fans because that's how I've always gone to football and I enjoy it.

 

"Nothing beats the atmosphere of being in with the fans.

 

"The fans who make the away trips are so fanatical every game feels like a cup game and it's tremendous to be part of it.

 

"Honest answer? There were times last season when the fans were singing certain things at certain games and I wanted to join in, I really did.

 

"I feel like they do. I'm in with the fans, and if we are not playing well I take this side because I'm thinking to myself: 'How can this be? We are Newcastle United and we should be doing better than this'.

 

"Again, it all happens so quickly. And it was another no-brainer. I took a call from someone who said 'do you realise Kevin Keegan may be interested in the Newcastle United job again?'

 

"At first I thought it couldn't be true. I was out of the country but my reply was 'if he is interested then tell him I'll meet him anywhere as soon as I get back'.

 

"It couldn't have been an easier choice.

 

"Kevin is a great manager and he is happiest working with the players.

 

"But there's so much involved in running a club that you must make sure people aren't spread too thinly. How could Kevin devote all his time to the first team if he also had to look after the Academy? That's where Dennis Wise comes in."

 

More of the same.

[Park Life 71]

Bit boring Ashley innit? No mood swings, no silly comments to the press, no ringo, no flim-flam, no under the table...Just a big fat rich chubby grin.

[Holden McGroin 6583]

This email landed in my box today. Apparently it has appeared on other forums as well.

 

Not sure of the accuracy. Could well be true on the other hand.

 

> There has been a massive reduction in sales of corporate box renewals so

> last night NUFC had a meeting with 20 corporate clients last night to try

> to get them to renew. Ashley, Wise and Lambidas where all there to give

> their vision for Newcastle. My mates, fathers friend was one of the people

> invited. It was supposed to be an hour long meeting but it went on for 3

> and Ashely didn't duck any questions.

>

>

> On Newcastle - He was asked why he bought the Toon. He said wanted a

> football club but originally he was not interested in Newcastle simply

> because he never thought he could get it. His advisors rang him on the

> Friday and asked him if he was interested in the Toon, he said yes and they

> said he'd have to wire £150m there and then. By the following week he has

> also spent another 100m of his money to pay off the debts. He doesn't

> expect to make money as most premier league clubs haemorrhage it. Everton

> last season finished about 7th, spent nothing in transfers and still only

> made £2m, their chairman is getting sick and looking to sell. Apparently

> Liverpool are "in the sh!t" with no money. Benitiez has spent all his money

> on Keane and has no more for Barry. He also said under Shepherd's regime

> NUFC could have quite easily gone under.

>

>

> On the papers - Don't believe anything you read in them, for example

> apparently the Sun had rang him a couple of weeks ago to ask about the

> takeover story that they where going to print . Ashley said it was rubbish

> but they still printed it anyway. The only press they do is the Sky Sports

> commitments. The only paper that they do talk to is the chronicle, however

> he said only believe them if the story is an "exclusive" and they are

> directly quoted.

>

>

> On Investors - He is looking to sell 25%, preferably to Newcastle based

> investors. He would also be willing to loan another 100m of his own cash

> for transfers, this would need to be paid back. He doesn't want any Asian

> investors because he doesn't trust them (look at Man city) but would be

> willing to look at an African deal as no-one is doing that at the moment

> (offer them exclusive rights to market NUFC in their country) but there

> isn't much taking off on this so far.

>

>

> On Keegan and Wise - Keegan makes all decisions on players coming and

> going. All wise is charged with is bringing in 6 under 17 players a season

>

>

> On players - Ashley wanted to sack Barton, Keegan said no as he said he was

> good at Man City and expects him to be a good player here.

>

>

> Smith - Ashley wants to sell him to Everton, Keegan said no as he said he

> is the best trainer, very popular in the dressing room and thinks if he

> scores he will get his confidence back, become better on the fans will like

> him ala Nicky Butt.

>

>

> Guitterrez - There was about 7 clubs in the Premier League after him,

> including the top 4 but he wanted to come here. Keegan is delighted with

> him as he thinks he is class.

>

>

> Coloccini - said it's a done deal. Keegan is thinking of playing him in

> midfield as a playmaker as apparently he is very good at it.

>

>

> On Transfers - There is lots of money available but the trouble is

> attracting players because we are not in Europe. Keegan lists the players

> he wants and puts a valuation of them. They obviously try and get them for

> less but if the selling club wants more money it's Keegan decision to say

> if they are worth more or not. There is no wage limit, if they think

> someone is worth 120k a week they would get it, but at the same time they

> won't be held to ransom and offer more than that.

>

>

> He still has to pay £3m a year for the next few years to Deportivo for

> Luque

> Modric had agreed on terms and was willing to sign but as he was waiting at

> the Malmaison for the paperwork to be raised, Tottenham offered him a deal

> and he flew down to London, apparently Ashley is furious with spurs and

> Modric as once a deal has been agreed that should be sealed.

>

>

> Aimar and his agent had agreed on 70k a week and they were delighted but

> his wife said no as she wouldn't move here. Apparently they had a blazing

> argument in front of Ashley. He moved to Benfica for half the wages we

> offered him.

>

>

> He said we should get 3 big transfers in before the end of the season and

> one of them is going to be such a nig name that no-one will believe it. He

> expects it to happen nearer the end of the transfer deadline.

>

>

> Overall the opinion was that he was very convincing and positive, so much

> so that this guy has decided to renew his box. It sounds good that he is

> backing Keegan. I'm not sure about Smith and Barton, personally I didn't

> want either of them when we bought them.

>

>

> I guess the proof in the pudding regarding the transfers will be if we get

> these big names in. I hope we do because at the moment I think we will have

> another poor season as our squad is terrible and we are desperate for new

> players.

[Sima 0]

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

 

You could argue that Ashley has done that already with his first appointment tbh.

[Fop 1]

The owners/chairmen have to be judged on the managers they appoint. Just like managers are judged on their signings and how they perform.

 

Under the previous regime, the job went from attracting the top names in the game at the time, young and old (Dalglish/Gullit/Robson), to failed managers no-one else wanted. That's what I'm criticising.

 

Within 3 years Ashley is going to have to replace Keegan, we'll see then if he's had any positive effect at the club.

 

You could argue that Ashley has done that already with his first appointment tbh.

 

Rubbish, plenty would have taken Keegan if he'd been interested. Not the top 4, but quite a few others I'm sure.