Chris Hughton will be boss if I stay: Mike Ashley

Oct 19 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

MIKE Ashley has confirmed he will appoint Chris Hughton as Newcastle United’s permanent manager if Barry Moat does not prove he can complete a reduced £80m takeover by the start of next week.

Ashley has publicly cast doubts on Moat’s ability to raise the necessary funds to buy the club, as he wants to pay £40m up front and another £40m at the end of the season.

Moat is set to meet with backers this week to ask them to give him their money in one lump sum, and is said to still be confident he can complete the deal.

However, it is not a confidence shared by many outside of his circle of contacts, and Ashley is growing increasingly exasperated with the delay. As a result, United’s beleaguered owner (pictured right) feels it is only right Hughton gets the chance to carry on in the job rather than force him to return to Alan Shearer, who he has had no contact with since May.

He said: “Chris deserves a shot at the title – he has done a great job, but if I keep the club I will have the final say on players. I am the one who has to fund the club.

“Barry Moat has been driving me mad for two years. If he wants to buy the club he has a one-off opportunity to come up with the cash – £80m up front.

“I have to put £20m a year into the club. I spend more money then every fan put together puts into the club each year. If you cannot pay up front to buy the club, you cannot afford it.”

Despite the prospect of remaining in charge, Ashley regrets ever getting involved with Newcastle United as he again admitted to making mistakes. He said: “Of course I regret it. I never said I was an expert in football clubs. I tried my best, but I accept my best was woefully short.”

Meanwhile, Hughton has denied Newcastle have turned into a long-ball team after the Magpies were guilty of punting too many high balls in the direction of Andy Carroll during the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

He said: “What we have to be able to do in this league is mix our game up. If I look at the players we have, when you have someone who is as good in the air as Andy Carroll is you know you have to play to some players’ strengths.

“I see us as a side who wants to pass it through midfield, which we were able to in that second period.”