It was not that long ago that Toon Army were up in arms over Mike Ashley and the Cockney Mafia’s running of Newcastle United. But over the last couple of years Ashley has retreated to the background and let the football people run the club. No surprise then, that Newcastle’s fortunes have turned up since Ashley let go of the reins.
One of the decisions that Mike Ashley got right was hiring Alan Pardew, and Pardew and his staff have been rewarded for the teams performance with new eight-year contracts.
Pardew, assistant John Carver, coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman have all been given identical deals, with chief scout Graham Carr having signed his own eight-year contract in June.
Pardew has presided over a remarkable rise since launching his career on Tyneside with a 3-1 home victory over Liverpool. He kept Newcastle up two season’s ago and then used that as a springboard to a remarkable season last year when Newcastle finished fifth in the league, qualifying for the Europa League.
Newcastle’s rise has coincided with the arrival of some terrific players on below market deals. Pardew and his staff have brought in the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse. All terrific signings.
Derek Llambias, Newcastle’s managing director, said that the club has made the move to try to establish the same kind of stability on Tyneside as has been enjoyed by Manchester United and Arsenal under Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger respectively.
“If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success and that is the model we wish to emulate here” Llambias said.
“We are looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010.
“Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is. I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him, which I think benefits the club enormously.
“Alan also has one of the best backroom teams in the country and I would like to thank John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman for all their combined efforts. We hope this announcement will be great news for the fans, whose support and commitment to this club over the years has been fantastic.”
