Eurosport - Thu, 09 Oct 21:11:00 2008
Newcastle United have announced that vice-president Tony Jimenez has left the club.
The 43-year-old former agent (pictured, left) has handed in his resignation in order to pursue "other interests".
A statement on the club's official website read: "Newcastle United can today confirm that Tony Jimenez has left the club.
"Tony, who was appointed vice-president (player recruitment) in January, has made the decision in order to pursue other interests.
"Newcastle United thanks Tony for all his hard work and efforts and wishes him every success in the future."
Jimenez was appointed in January to the newly-created role of vice-president (player recruitment), and was charged by owner Mike Ashley with the task of using his extensive contacts within the game to assist executive director Dennis Wise and technical director Jeff Vetere (pictured, right) in bringing some of the best talent in world football to St James' Park.
However, the ambiguities of the new management structure led to tensions with then manager Kevin Keegan, who subsequently left the club in September, complaining that he had no say over transfer dealings.
Keegan is yet to be fully replaced, with former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear currently in charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis. While several consortia interested in buying the club have vowed to re-appoint Keegan, that will almost certainly not happen with the current set-up remaining at the club.
The controversial hierarchy has been labelled the 'Cockney Mafia' by the club's fans and blamed for Keegan's departure and the poor results that have followed. However, unlike his fellow London-born colleagues Ashley and Wise, Jimenez has mostly escaped any personal attacks from supporters and media alike.
Newcastle are currently third from bottom in the Premier League, with the 2-2 draw at Everton at the weekend bringing to an end a run of five straight defeats in all competitions.
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ian mack. No one is denying what Ashley did until he refused to fix the un-wise thing to get wise involved. But then, the fact he decided to sell the club so swiftly afterwards shows his hidden agenda. He is neither a fan for Newcastle nor a long term investor. He is a speculator who buys and sells to make money on the difference.
At a risk of being crucified, I think it is fair to say that the NUFC fans would still have plenty of good things to say about Mike Ashley if he had not brought in Wise etc. He thought it was going to work but like all good chiefs, he should have got rid of the bad eggs, ie Wise etc immediately as soon as he realised it wasn't working. As far as we know he renaged on the deal with KK in as much that he said that he would have overall control on the transfer front. Turned out to be a bit of a fib there Mike! To all those that are sick of the saga, stop reading the articles and posting comments, easy solution really.
i could not understand, why newcastle with its history and many great player produceed now in such weird condition. get rid people doesn't understand football spirit. all fans need a joy and passion to support their team. Ashley not to rely and Wise not so wise
Jean J
Go on be brave - tell us who you support so we can all laugh out loud at you - idiot!
I take it by using the very juvenile LOL acronym, you must be about 12 years old, am i correct? Get to bed child, it's way past your bed-time.
Hahhaha haha hahahahaha hehehe haa heheehhe.Once again Newcastle provide us with the best laughs around, not only in football but in any field.
Just what we need with all this financial stuff going on. A really good laugh. Thank you NUFC and that clown that owns you at the moment.
Jiminez, director of finding new players, LOL what a laugh, hahahahahaha
Hahahaha hahahaha
pl...ashily get out newcastel club we dont need you. you and your managment....
I CHAN GED MAY MIND. I THANK IT WAD BE BEST ALL ROUN IF WE JASTE GOT RID A NYAYCASTLE AL TAGATHER.
NYAYCASTLE ARE A FACKIN JOKE AND THEY SHOULNAY BE ALLOWED TAY KEEP GATTIN AWAY WATH BEING SO @#$%. I SAY WE BURN DOON ST JAMS PARK AND BALD A LOAD AF WHORE HOUSES, MOSKS AND SHAPS. MABAY EVEN A WEE CASINO. WAT DAY YAYS THANK?
newcastle is waste
As a Sunderland fan I am still shocked by the rubbish going on at Newcastle, however what I find even more surprising is firstly that you would want Keegan back (you wont win anything with him), but also why on earth would he ever WANT to come back - its surely a poisoned chalice for him now.
.........and it drags on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.
I wish someone would buy them and bring in a different manager (or keep J. Kinnear). Then get some stability into the *&*^%$%* club!
A right old @#$% up, what a shame, most people have a soft spot for Newcaste.
rat in middle of picture "what do you think, you reckon I can have 'im" Rat on the right "no senior, he look very much handy"
There are a few similarities between JK and KK. The first is that they do seem to gel with players and the second is that in their own particular way they are very stubborn, but KK will quit. However the main one, which is the most worrying, is that they have been out of the game for a while and are not up with the power struggles that have gone on in the last few years, resulting in heavy debts for many clubs. In short,they are now too old fashioned for the game and not right for a club like NUFC with all those great fans. It must be a complete overhaul to get back on track, that means no Ashley or Wise
If keegan was that loyal to the club he would never have walked out on it. What happened to through thick and thin? I would certainly question is loyalty.
Why don't NUFC ,Sunderland and the BORO knock there grounds down,and merge into 1 big super northeast club.A nice red white and black kit,fun days ,fetes ,pie stalls and clowns.That would take your minds off the footy!!!!
I hope Keegan goes back as well. Preferably before City knock a few passed the toon.
What a sad situation to be in when the return of King Kev (renowned for for slipping his track-spikes on whenever the going gets tough, imagine KK geting the abuse thrown at Big Sam after 3 losses in a row!!) is what all the fan are screaming for...and 99% of the rest of us already know it's probibly the worst thing that could happen to Newcastle football club.
Lets just face a plain fact here...he isn't that good, will run if poked, requires a complete overhaul of management systems to get back, doesn't have time on his side with games passing by.
Oh and the other option is Shearer...haha! get real!
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I hope Keegan comes back without Ashley
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