Former Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has issued a stark warning to the fans at St James’ Park that a new owner could be worse than current chief Mike Ashley.
The British businessman has been in charge of the Magpies for over a decade but has come under fire for his running of the club, with a lack of backing for manager Rafael Benitez when it comes to investment in both the transfer window and things like the training ground.
Despite admitting he is not the perfect man to be in charge, Roeder, who spent a spell in the dugout prior to Ashley’s arrival on Tyneside, warned fans that Ashley could be better than a new owner and insisted deep pockets were needed if a takeover were to take place.
He told Jim White on talkSPORT: “I’m not necessarily saying embrace him but I think you could have a lot worse owners than Mike Ashley owning the football club.
“He could have sacked Alan (Pardew) three or four times in that really rocky period. In the end Alan was bright enough that when the opportunity came for him to slip out there he didn’t wait for another bad time.
“It might be worse under a new owner. When he does eventually find the price that he wants, I’m just hoping the owner’s got very deep pockets to improve the squad because it does need badly improving.”
"You could have a lot worse owners than Mike Ashley."
"When he does find the price he wants, I hope the new owner has deep pockets to improve the squad."
Former #NUFC boss Glenn Roeder believes Mike Ashley deserves more credit. pic.twitter.com/vrAzm4HoLP
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 27, 2019
Opinion
It is quite clear that Roeder never had to work under Ashley, for you cannot imagine any of the other managers who have been in charge under the British businessman suggesting he is a good fit for the club. It has taken fan protests and public displays of frustration from current boss Rafael Benitez for him to put his hand into his pockets over the January transfer window and so it is surprising to see a former boss suggest he is doing an alright job at the club. Surely Roeder wants to see the Magpies pushing up the Premier League table and showing a little ambition than simply fighting for survival? Yes, a new owner could do worse but it would be hard to show any less ambition than Ashley, who would quite happily see the side finish 17th every season. Not a great analysis by Roeder, who should know just how much the Newcastle faithful want to see their side do well.