'Honoured' Chris Hughton to be permanent boss

Oct 20 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton believes that he has earned the “honour” of managing Newcastle United on a permanent basis after confirming that he expects to be handed the job by the end of the week.

Hughton, who was offered the permanent role in principle last week, will meet Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias after tonight’s game at Scunthorpe United to iron out details of a contract which will take him to the end of next season.

Hughton’s current assistant Colin Calderwood is also expected to agree a long-term deal.

It is likely to mean that Hughton is confirmed in the role permanently by Thursday – preceding an announcement that the club is being taken off the market after Barry Moat failed to come up with the £80m that Ashley wanted for the sale of United.

With no other realistic bidders, Ashley’s ownership of the club will limp on until the end of the season, when he will hope promotion will flush out fresh interest.

The responsibility for achieving that will now fall to Hughton, who has performed well in difficult circumstances and in the shadow of Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, who has been widely tipped to be appointed manager should a takeover of the club succeed.

And, although Hughton said that he “respects” everything that the club’s former number nine has achieved with the club, he believes results under his leadership mean that he is the right man to take United forward.

“I am honoured to be offered the job, we are still in negotiations, it is something we hope will get resolved,” he said.