Llambias interview exclusive: NUFC chief speaks out

Feb 11 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

At the crux of that dispute, which will be settled by an industrial tribunal next month, was exactly who controlled transfers, although Llambias is adamant it has always been the manager.

He explained: “This Continental-style of football management was where we wanted to be and where we are now. It’s been torn up at Tottenham and they’ve dismissed it to go back to the old-fashioned style, but for us we still think it works.

“The realistic side of football management is that it’s changing. You need to have the control of being more structured and knowing where you are going as far as picking players and picking youth is concerned. We felt that it worked for us.

“It broke down between two of our main characters. But it’s working well with Joe (Kinnear) and, hopefully, it will continue to do so. The manager still calls the shots. Nobody will come into this club that Joe doesn’t want. That’s been made quite clear.” He continued: “Dennis is our director of football. He is out there looking for players.

“He wants young talent and experienced players. In this particular window, Joe gave him a list of players to go out and look at.

“He is still part of our management structure. He will remain part of our management structure. When we pinpoint a player, Dennis will go in there as part of the negotiating team with our football secretary. Myself and Mike will be on the phone and pressing the buttons as far as how far we can go financially.”

It riles to think about football supporters as customers. There is too much passion and pride in following a football club to contemplate how an accountant values your support, but ultimately that is exactly what we are.

Just as the path of true love has become a commercial opportunity for the savvy, be it Valentine’s Day, weddings or honeymoons, so has a labour of love like watching your football team. Yet, as Llambias knows all too well, without supporters, Newcastle, as a business, will shrivel and eventually die. With talk of boycotts and mass non-renewal of season tickets, there is also a plea to supporters to give them another chance.

“Stay with us,” he urged. “Be strong, this is an incredible club and we need you to be behind us. We’re putting our money up front and we need you to support us. You can’t have it overnight, stay with your team.

“You’ve seen uglier football, stick with the team. We will get there.”