Joe Kinnear hints that Mike Ashley could stay
Dec 22 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
THE prospects of Mike Ashley staying in control of Newcastle United rose again yesterday after manager Joe Kinnear said the billionaire’s passion for the club has been “reinvigorated”.
Kinnear also suggested Ashley may be ready to end his Tyneside exile in interviews ahead of yesterday’s match against Tottenham.
He said Ashley had spoken about planning for next season after accepting he would not get the money he wants for United.
Last night fans said “the door is ajar” for Ashley to open dialogue with them if it was in the best interests of their club.
Kinnear said: “He wants to get back on the scene and rebuild the club.
“I get the sense that he is planning to be here a bit longer. His passion for the club has been reinvigorated.
“He would stay on as owner and I would stay on as manager. I have been told my job is safe as long as he is here.
“Mike has already mentioned the possibility of staying on if the club is not sold. He said, ‘you'll always be with me as long as I’m here’.
“We’ve spoken about the future and he said, ‘it looks like I’m not going to be able to sell it, so we have to start thinking about next year’.
“He’s coming to terms with the idea that he is not going to be able to sell the club for the money he wants.”
Steve Wraith, former fans liaison officer and editor of the Players Inc fanzine, said the fans’ anger towards Ashley had cooled since the heights of the Keegan saga. He said: “The door is ajar, whereas a couple of months ago it was firmly closed.
“As far as Mike Ashley is concerned, the financial market was always going to dictate what is going to happen over the next 12 months. To be honest, you would prefer the club stays in the hands of the current owners if it’s going to go to the wrong people.
“The bottom line is whatever is best for the club. You would hate to see something happen over the next few weeks that means Newcastle have nothing to spend in the transfer window.”
Malcolm Shiels, chair of the Newcastle United Supporters Club, said he would take Kinnear’s comments “with a pinch of salt”. “As a manager Joe has done well but, in terms of his press conferences and statements, he is saying one thing one minute and something else the next.”
“If Ashley can’t sell the club then we have to open up a dialogue and do what’s in the best interests of Newcastle United, if that means him staying.
“Ideally, we want him to sell up and leave.”
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