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Robson sacked as Newcastle manager
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-31 09:07

Bobby Robson's five-year reign as Newcastle United manager has ended after he paid the price for his side's poor start to the season and growing dressing room unrest.

Newcastle sacked the 71-year-old former England manager after Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa left them 16th in the Premier League standings without a win from four games.

"After a disappointing start to the Premier League season, the directors of Newcastle United have informed Sir Bobby Robson they have decided that he is to be replaced as team manager," a club statement said on Monday.

"There is no hesitation by the club in recording its sincere appreciation for the way in which Sir Bobby has handled team affairs during that five-year spell which has seen a significant turnaround in the club's fortunes," said the statement on Newcastle's official website.

Newcastle's defeat at Villa Park, for which talismanic captain Alan Shearer was dropped to the bench, continued an eventful start to the season at St James' Park.

England defender Jonathan Woodgate was sold to Real Madrid, England midfielder Kieron Dyer refused to play for Newcastle in certain positions and Wales striker Craig Bellamy threatened to leave if the club signed Wayne Rooney.

"I am massively disappointed not to be able to finish the job I came here to do," Robson said in a statement.

"I have immensely enjoyed my time here as manager and I wish the club all the best of success in the future.

"At the present moment I have absolutely nothing to say except to thank the Geordie fans for their tremendous enthusiasm, loyalty and support," Robson added.

Shearer favourite

Shearer, in his last season as a player and who has been working towards UEFA coaching qualifications, is favourite to succeed Robson, with former Newcastle and England players Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne among those to push his claims.

"Shearer will be in charge for the next game," Waddle told BBC radio.

Robson, who staved off the threat of relegation after succeeding Ruud Gullit in September 1999, was taken aback by the club's announcement in July that his services would not be retained beyond the end of this season.

"The club agreed to extend Sir Bobby's contract by one further season," the statement said.

"However, after careful consideration, the club decided it was in the best interests of all concerned to re-visit that decision."

Crucially, Robson failed to deliver a major title to the club he supported as a boy whose cupboard has been bare since they won the old European Fairs Cup in 1969. They last won the league championship in 1927 and FA Cup in 1955.

Robson, knighted in 2002 for his services to football, began his managerial career at Fulham 36 years ago.

He has also managed Ipswich Town, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona as well as the England side from 1982 to 1990, when he steered them to the semi-finals in Italy.

Robson has indicated he will seek further employment.

"I'm not going into this season thinking that it will be my last as a football manager," Robson said recently.

"My heart, my head and my legs are fine. I like what I'm doing and I feel very fit. I'm not thinking about retiring. No way. As long as I can do this job then I'll do it."

Robson became the second managerial casualty in the Premier League in just over two weeks of the new season following Paul Sturrock's departure from Southampton.



 
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