Premier League - Venables: Newcastle situation too uncertain

Eurosport - Fri, 26 Sep 13:49:00 2008

Terry Venables has revealed the reason he turned down the chance to become Newcastle's interim manager, insisting the club "means too much to too many people" to agree to a match-by-match deal.

FOOTBALL Terry Venables - 0

Venables emerged as the surprise favourite to be handed the reigns at St James' Park and while the well-travelled coach admits he had talks with the Magpies, he was not prepared to sink himself into a job he could be relieved of at any time.

The 65-year-old former England boss admitted he would have been interested in taking the job on a long-term basis and described himself as "honoured" to be approached about the post, which was vacated when Kevin Keegan departed in acrimony earlier this month.

Venables told The Sun: "There is one reason and one reason alone why I've turned down the chance to take temporary charge at Newcastle - time.

"Newcastle United means too much to too many people to take the job on a short-term basis. It demands total commitment and dedication from a manager who is prepared to throw himself heart and soul into the club.

"I didn't want to move up to Tyneside and find myself surplus to requirements before I'd even had the chance to get my teeth into the challenge.

"The way the job was offered to me meant that I might be working at St James' Park for two months, two years - or two weeks. There was far too much uncertainty involved."

United had identified Venables as the man to steady the ship after a disastrous series of bad results and fan protests, possibly looking to a similar firefighting role he performed at Middlesbrough eight years ago.

But Venables believes such a job in not viable given the uncertainty engulfing the club, leaving caretaker manager Chris Hughton in position for the home game against Blackburn on Saturday.

"I was ready and willing to give it a real go but I was never offered the chance to do that," he added.

"All they could guarantee was that I'd be in a job until Mike Ashley sells the club whenever that might be. As flattered and honoured as I was to be approached by Newcastle, in the end it wasn't that difficult a decision for me to decline their offer.

"The Newcastle supporters have suffered more than enough in recent years. I didn't want them to think I'd gone up there just to pocket a few quid from Mike Ashley and then wave 'cheerio' a couple of weeks later."

Venables met with under-fire trio Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Derek Llambias about the job, but he insists he was not worried about facing any flak from the Geordie fans over his London roots.

He added: "I know only too well that many of the Newcastle supporters have been protesting about the so-called 'Cockney Mafia' running their club. But I honestly don't believe it would have been an issue for me. All my work would have been done in the dressing room, not the boardroom."

The incident has left Newcastle owner Mike Ashley with a major headache as he attempts to find support for caretaker boss Chris Hughton with his efforts to sell the club after just 16 months ongoing.

Paul Ince - whose Blackburn side provide the opposition in the Barclays Premier League this weekend - Gus Poyet and Didier Deschamps have been considered, but the continuing uncertainty over the club's ownership is proving a major obstacle.

Investment bankers Seymour Pierce are currently looking for buyers with Chris Nathaniel, the spokesman for the Nigerian consortium which has trumpeted its interest in the club in recent days, insisting they are deadly serious.

They have hinted they will restore Keegan to his post and that has curried favour with large sections of the club's support.

However, Seymour Pierce, led by chairman Keith Harris, are understood to be assessing the credentials of several potential buyers - there have also been links with Chinese, American and local investors - as Ashley looks to make a quick exit.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 176 - 195 of 195

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  1. Sad geordie scum!

    From amandalittle834@..., on Sat 27 Sep 12:22AM

  2. The situation is a bit poo but i'll still bet toon finish above sunderland so the p.rick wont be laughing long. You mackems just concentrate on keeping Keano happy till Fergie retires, must be nice to know a football legend like him sees your club as a stepping stone

    From Tony K, on Fri 26 Sep 2:28PM

  3. Probably why he has not come back since posting that @#$% again Tony K. He has realised he has made a complete @#$% with a capital T of himself!.....Again!

    From Mickr273, on Fri 26 Sep 2:10PM

  4. Never mind Kinnear, I just CANNOT believe christopher f is still trawling out that unfunny subway sandwich @#$%.24 hours on and the same old b.ollocks you sad little man

    From Tony K, on Fri 26 Sep 2:01PM

  5. Kinnear is just the man needed to spearhead Newcastle's speedy path to relegation. I have complete faith in his ability to take Newcastle into lower league football. He has much experience of keeping a losing run going.

    From bigdave11111, on Fri 26 Sep 1:30PM

  6. Christopher: Very likely you were abused by a toon fan probably when you were young :-) So much hatred has to come from an inner and prolonged complex inside you. Glad you could express some of it :-)

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 26 Sep 1:26PM

  7. NICE ONE - 1500/1 to win the league

    From Terence P, on Fri 26 Sep 1:22PM

  8. sky sports news: joe kinnear been given toon job. i can see them going on and winning the league now. get in

    From upthevilla, on Fri 26 Sep 1:16PM

  9. CODONNELL95 THE RESULTS LAST TERM WHERE LFC 1 EFC 0 AND EFC 1 LFC 2 .....get it right
    muppet.

    From Chris W, on Fri 26 Sep 1:10PM

  10. UP THE GUNNERS!!

    From andrew, on Fri 26 Sep 12:55PM

  11. im so happy that the dirty magpies are in turmoil, i even wake up in the night in bursts of laughter - it could not happen to a more deserved group of muppets

    i just hope they go one step further than leeds - bust

    i drove through newcastle recently and managed to catch one fat mag with a nufc shirt on with a well aimed remains of my subway sandwich straight in the face, i laughed so much i nearly crashed the car, i just regret it wasnt a brick

    From Christopher F, on Fri 26 Sep 12:32PM

  12. Thats because he has no managerial experience right now cod. Duh!

    From Mickr273, on Fri 26 Sep 12:22PM

  13. Shearer is such a pansy he will never become a manager. he went on about becomin a manager and then turned down the job and shut up johnsamueledgar everton beat loserpool last season 3-0.

    From codonnell95, on Fri 26 Sep 12:15PM

  14. Sadly I cannot see Keegan coming back, unless something dramatic (after what has gone on so far, how much more drama can NUFC fans take?) happens. The Steve Bruce idea, is a winner, but I dont think that Sir Bobby can help out. His health is his priority and he did have a similar role with Ireland, but sadly he could not fulfill it.

    I dont think that Bruce needs anyone to advise him though, he has done a fine job at Wigan, as well as at Brum previously and he did no bad thing at Palace, while he was there.

    What Bruce will do, is sweep the decks clear of rubbish. A new broom is what is required amongst the rotten playing staff there. There are some great players there, Bruce could not only mould those into a good team, but he would then set about making a competitive squad.

    Wigan are small in terms of support, compared to other clubs in the division. There will only ever be a certain budget there. Bruce could do wonders at NUFC, with the money available (depending on who is in charge) and the support.

    If NUFC dont get him soon, I feel that one day, MUFC will come calling. Maybe not for being a manager, but he will have some role there. Take the chance as soon as possible!

    By the end of the season, it might be all too late.

    From SIMON, on Fri 26 Sep 11:29AM

  15. ALL YOU EVERTONIANS , SHOULD JUST AV A LY IN 2MOZ IT WONT BE WORTH TURNIN UP AT THE GAME LADS, WERE GONNA KICK YA ARSES AS USUAL. MOYES FUCKEN STINKSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

    From johnsamueledgar, on Fri 26 Sep 11:20AM

  16. hi guys, any evertonians on ere, ready to get there arses kicked on saturday!! wahayy

    From johnsamueledgar, on Fri 26 Sep 11:06AM

  17. RE: POST 178 - THAT'S NOT VERY NICE IS IT? YOU CAN STILL GET 6/1 FOR THE DROP. PROBABLY LESS AFTER SATURDAYS GAME, HURRY !!!!

    From Terence P, on Fri 26 Sep 10:58AM

  18. Actually Jas@#$%mium. I dont live in Newcastle, I also dont live with my parents, AND I'm married with 3 kids. So up yours! Your more likely to be the stupid little boy who lives with his mummy still! Your boring me now *yawn*

    @#$% you!

    From Mickr273, on Fri 26 Sep 10:53AM

  19. mickr273 im really scared of u. you must be the hardest man to walk the streets of newcastle.. no not really i think u still live with mummy an your clogging up her back room with all your dirty magazines.. get of your pc an go an wash your feet seems your carpet stinks of sperm u dirty little @#$%..

    From Jasoptimum851, on Fri 26 Sep 10:47AM

  20. Somebody had the right idea this morning. Steve Bruce would be ideal with Sir Bobby advising in the background. Forget Shearer as has been said as well. A nice guy who was quite @#$% the pitch but he has settled for a quiet night on the box with the admirable Alan Hansen and that boring bighead Lauro. Perhaps he should try something like this as he has all the answers

    From taff, on Fri 26 Sep 10:46AM
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