Chris Hughton to be named Newcastle boss

Oct 23 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

In the meantime – although it is unlikely – if an acceptable offer is received, Ashley will sell.

However, he will no longer actively seek a buyer and will focus on the club’s needs, particularly in light of the January transfer window, with Hughton admitting yesterday he needs to strengthen the squad.

“The new contract is a case of crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s,” said Hughton. “What I have had is an offer. We are in discussions at the moment and I would hope to be sorted soon.

“What is fact is they want me to be the manager and I want to be the manager.

“There has been an offer which I want to accept and we are in discussions. The biggest part for me is the fact the club want me to be manager and I will get the chance hopefully to get this team back into the Premier League.

“Will it give me more power? What is normal is when someone is on a contract they are in a stronger position then perhaps when they are not. I am hoping to sign the deal very, very soon.”

That was confirmed by Llambias, who hopes the club will also be able to clarify the situation regarding any possible takeovers in the next few days as the Ashley regime tries to move the agenda forward after months of uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club.

Meanwhile, Hughton has reminded supporters that, while the team’s recent results have been disappointing following a run of four games without a win, nobody has managed to take advantage of their slump. He added: “We are disappointed, but that is the league we are in.

“It is not only us who has gone through some difficult times at the top end of the table.

“We have an opportunity tomorrow to put it right.

“I have not been too unhappy with the performance either at Scunthorpe or in the second half at Forest, where we created the bulk of the chances.

“Of course, it is about turning that into wins and we have not been able to do that. This is an opportunity against Doncaster to change that.

“The expectations are always going to be with us.

“We are a side which plied out trade in the Premier League last season and there are always going to be big expectations from everybody, including our fans.

“That is a pressure we have to live with throughout the season.”