Debate: Newcastle fans, what do you really want?

To judge by the jeers that Sam Allardyce suffered in his final matches at St James' Park, many Newcastle United fans will be delighted that his reign has ended. To outsiders, though, the club looks in disarray. The new ownership is rapidly losing support, the expensively assembled squad is badly underperforming and the club faces another period of transition.

If this is what you wanted then tell us, Newcastle United fans, how you think the club should proceed. What kind of manager do you want to replace Allardyce? Does Mike Ashley, the club chairman, need to do more to deliver on the grand promises he made when he took charge of the club? What ambitions should Newcastle pursue once they emerge from their latest crisis?

In short, we want you to draw up a manifesto for the club's future.

Most pressing, of course, is the managerial issue. Can Ashley afford to employ a caretaker manager while he searches for the right candidate? Or does he need to act swiftly to restore some stability to the club?

And who should that manager be? Does the club need a local hero to win back the support of the fans? That surely would mean the appointment of Alan Shearer but he has distanced himself from the role and has no coaching experience.

Perhaps then they should turn to Harry Redknapp, the bookmakers' favourite and probably the best qualified English club manager around? He's worked miracles at Portsmouth but we said the same about Allardyce and Bolton Wanderers.

Maybe you want a manager with a record of success at a big club, say, Jose Mourinho or even Martin Jol? You might fancy a coach who has proven his ability with an international team. Jurgen Klinsmann presumably is your man.

And is it important that the club employs somebody that produces sides who play exciting football? To some, that would rule out Mourinho's suitability, while Allardyce's failure to fit this criteria almost certainly contributed to his downfall.

Perhaps Ashley is the problem. Many thought the retail tycoon would lead Newcastle United into a new era of success and continuity when he bought the club early last summer. Yet by agreeing to Allardyce's removal after only eight months in charge, the chairman appears to have shown the kind of impatience that defined the previous regime of Freddie Shepherd.

In Shepherd's ten years as chairman, Newcastle employed six managers and won no major trophy. Now the club is in danger of continuing that trend.

What must they do to ensure that does not happen? Email us via the comment box below.

ROBERT DINEEN

Comments

[Terry Hibbitt]

What makes me laugh about all these Chelsea fans who've suddenly appeared over the last 5 years is the fact they forget Jose was close to becoming assistant manager under Bobby Robson. If they actually knew anything of their own team they'd also know that he used to always sing our praises due to this. Unfortunately, like most london fans they pick and chose their team depending on success. Now tell me where did all those QPR fans go? They used to get 10,000 more than chelsea a little more than 10 years ago! Personally i'd like someone such as Lippi. If you don't aim high you end up with Ranieri!!! Oh hang on most chelsea fans won't know him nor his predecessors!!

[Katy]

As a newcastle fan for about 15 years I am utterly demoralised about the state of this club. We no longer have a team spirit in the club. It seems that everyone is out for themselves. If we bring back Shearer things won't improve. He hasn't got the knowledge and experience as a manager to support a team as big as Newcastle wants to be. Plus the problems in the dressing room which existed when he was a player haven't gone. What Newcastle needs to realise is two things... one we are no longer a big player, we are a team which has a fantastic fanbase and good gate but the quality of team and back room staff is not that of a big team. Because of this we are not going to get a major manager like Mourinho. 2) There will be no quick turn around. Newcastle needs stripping right back to the basics and a fresh set of ideas, players and back room staff whose interests are in the club, not money. Until then Newcastle will continue to get through managers and sink further and further into the mess which we are firmly rooted. Maybe relegation will wake people up to the true state of the club and give the players the kick up the backside they need in order to start playing as a team rather than a group of individuals.

[Joe]

Jose Mourinho even giving any thought to Newcastle? Nearly fell off my chair laughing! The first time he probably ever heard of them was when he came to the Premiership with Chelsea.

[sean]

The reason all newcastle fans are so passionate is simply because the toon are the only team in the area, look at liverpool and everton, man u and man city and the several north london sides.

But i seriously think that you have no chance of signing mouriniho, he's waiting for a big job, the likes of milan, barcelona or mabye liverpool

[Richard]

NUFC and Mourinho, you're hsaving a laugh. Why on earth would one of the best managers in the world want to manage this tin pot outfit when he could have the pick of the proper clubs? NUFC fans are as Delusional, arrogant and ignorant as ever. Ashley is a businessman, clearly not a football man. Look forward to seeing you in the Championship , (which is probably too good for you lot).

[Stu]

Such is the vocal support of the home Toon fans that they are surely worth a goal a game. Yet Newcastle has dropped 15 points in the 11 home games this season and failed to score in 3 of those games. Courtesy of TV, I have watched Allardyce's men produce some dismal efforts; no tactical nous, seemingly no strategy and players who look uncomfortable to say the least.
Allardyce had to go; I do not see the validity of the "2-3 year programme" argument; clearly there was no plan.
Newcastle has players to compete but the team lacks motivation and belief. Cue Neil Warnock, if he can be prised away from Selhurst Park of course.

[Tigger]

Mourinho can choose between any of the clubs in the whole world, who fancy a change in Manager. Why on earth would he choose Newcastle? This is especially, and most sadly, so when Newcastle's owners and fans have no recent history of supporting their manager.

[Sandy Gardner]

NUFC are among the 5 richest clubs in the UK.
That is not down to Ashley's millions but is mainly due to the level of support they have enjoyed from the people of Newcastle and the North-East for many years-including those when they were out of the top flight.St. James' Park is regularly filled close to its capacity and the Newcastle section at away games is usually sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale.
We need a manager who, firstly, has the technical skills (judgement of players,tactical nous,and motivational skills etc) to ensure that our position in the Premiership corresponds to the position we have given it in fotball's "Rich List".
Secondly, he should share the passion for the game and for our city/region that ensures a full house at St. James-even for games against the likes of Bolton.
Thankfully, Rednapp has turned us down. Like Allardyce, he is only a "Top 10" manager and is not in the same class as Ferguson or Wenger.
After a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion that the best candidate for the job is Mourinho.
O'Neill seems to be settled at Villa and won't move north for family reasons. Jol is available but lacks that passion that Geordies look for.The same applies to Houllier I'm afraid.
I am sure that Mourinho's restrictive covenant with Chelsea could be sorted out with some of Mr Ashley's millions.The latter certainly owes the fans something, having got us into this mess by repeating Shepherd's error of sacking his manager without having a satisfactory replacement ready.
I am also sure that Mourinho would relish the prospect of taking on Sir Alex and Wenger again and, most of all, of replacing Chelsea in the top 4 of English football

[Nic]

I would like some stability and consistency please!

I believe Mike Ashley and Chris Mort will find us the right manager to go forward with. Ashley is nobodys fool and won`t hand over the managerial reins to just anyone.

For the folk out there who think we all want Shearer at the helm. Yes, how idealistic and one day perhaps, but for now, its really not the his time.

I think you`ll find the majority of us would like a manager who could get us playing attractively again, bring some harmony and confidence to the squad and let us get on with making simple act of making good progress.

[femi]

ASHLEY.....ASHLEY...PLS get it rigbt!.....Give JOSE a call....

[femi]

What else can I say....ASHLEY should get it right this time....the Newcastle board been flippin' sleepin' for too long .since the days of my Granddad!..Give us JOSE...AND LEAVE THE REST TO US!!!!!!

[Ed]

Many people seem to have forgotten that going to a match should be FUN! Fans of any club don't go to a match in November to watch a cup being lifted - they go because they find it an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. They don't want to boo - they want to cheer! What is so hard to understand about that?
When Allardyce stole the sunshine from the weekend, he forgot that there are plenty of other things you can do instead.
If you think the geordie fans have such unrealistic expectations, would you want Allardyce (or Daglish, Roeder, Souness, Gullit for that matter) to come to manage your club?
Thought not.

[becky lemberger]

As a Newcastle football fans wife i think that the sooner Newcastle can get a new manager and get on with playing decent football again, the sooner my husband will stop moping around the house with a grumpy attitude. Bring back King Kev!!!

[toonmad]

Newcastle fans will never take to Redknapp people outside the area don't understand the raw passion we have for our team we expect to play attractive football home or away and that's why we loved the Keegan era at SJP although in many respects that has been our achilles heel Mourinho would be worshipped at SJP we need a manager who gets the 52,000 inside the stadium buzzing I'm afraid Redknapp doesn't tick the boxes in that regard hes only been involved in relegation dog fights the southern press don't like us prehapes where to far north for them and if the finger is to be pointed at anyone collectively it was you lot who forced Ashley's hand without our circus at SJP what would you report? all we want is a fair crack of the whip with a manager who plays the right style of football what people don't understand with Newcastle fans style of play is more important than trophy's

[Lampard08]

What is it with Newcastle fans always wanting the scraps from the Stamford Bridge table. First "Lovely Boy" Ruud and now you think that "The Special One" would commit managerial suicide by gracing the terraces at St James.

No manager worth his reputation would want anything to do with the biggest poisoned chalice in football outside the England job.

My bet is you lot will end up with Shearer for two major reasons - he is a Toon legend (therefore will be considered Teflon coated) and he has no managerial luggage (yet).

NUFC fans want to see Champions League action under the next coach but that will not happen until UEFA let in the Top 10 from EPL, you join SPL (geographically sound) or your idiot mentality of a club appoint and allow a coach to get used to everyone's name before they dump them.

Sacking Big Sam will prove to be one of the clubs biggest gaffes (and that is saying something), as he is likely to go to another EPL club and work wonders with them ala Bolton.

Harry would be mad to leave Pompey for the managerial Bermuda Traingle as would Jol who is bound to be sought throughout Europe.

In the end it all boils down to karma and it all stems from the disgraceful treatment of Sir Bobby.

[Carl Stephens]

Harry is a great manager, but his face doesn't fit, pure and simple.

[William Blaise]

Could we have someone who hasn't been investigated by Panorama, please?

[Jonathan]

Why do Newcastle fans want Mourinho when he was sacked for unentertaining football? That's exactly what they were moaning about with Allardyce...

[Don]

Newcastle fans want a new manager every season-at least that way they'll always be hopeful

[Norm]

At the moment it looks very much like Redknapp. Why? Replace Allardyce, Souness etc with a carbon copy. This is pointless. We need to create a dynasty such as that which Liverpool had in the 70's and 80's. Yes a manager must be given time but he must be the right man to create a dynasty in the first place. He must create stability and attract quality and he must be young enough to have the time to do this. And he must have stamina and guts. Mark Hughes is the man.

[Scott]

It's all irrelevant. Whoever it is that takes over, they desperately need to sign a central defender with some authority about them. Beye is awesome as a wingback, but only Taylor seems able to defend. He's only 21 though. We need a player who can get involved with the game, who can read the game and tell the others where they need to be. I reckon Redknapp'll be the manager, and I can accept that. I think he did an alright job at Pompey. We have to stop chopping and changing!

[David Humpleby]

We want the "special one" for our special team! Mourinho would be the most sensible choice, who would be able to handle the team, the supporters and the media.

[Ryan, Lancashire]

as a blackburn fan, i'll have a lifelong love of shearer and i'd love to see him have a go at management. i think Newcastle need to just get it out of their system and let him have a go because until he does it seems any manager you get is going to have him creeping over their shoulder. also, it'd settle me and everyone else at ewood as we're all quaking in our boots at the thought of possible losing our 'special one' Sparky.

[Christopher Wilson]

I don't know what all the fuss is about.Newcastle haven't been any good since the days of Jackie Milburn. Allardyce did well at Bolton because "hoofing" it up is the way they have always played.The rot started with the sacking of Bobby Robson. Hes probably still 10 times better than the names being bounded around.The fans must be crazy to keep subsidising a club managed with such ineptitude.

[Mike]

Newcastle fans are not that knowledgeable - if they were they'd have stomached Big Sam for a bit longer and given him a fair crack. Mind you it's true up to match 24 or whatever they were shocking! Maybe Keegan's the worst thing that could have happened to them, in that he NEARLY got them to be serious challengers signing 'big' names and playing reckless football in the last few years. either strategy might just work - for him sadly they didn't because he just couldn't get his defence organised.