Ashley continues to come under constant criticism from Newcastle fans.
Glenn Roeder has told TalkSPORT that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley deserves more credit from fans, as the ex-Toon manager reckons there could be a lot worse out there than him.
Ashley has frustrated manager Rafa Benitez continuously since the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager gained promotion back to the Premier League with Newcastle.
The Champions League-winning manager has been desperate for more funds, but Ashley does not want to invest any more money into the squad – continuously stating Benitez can have any funds he generates himself.
Roeder, who managed Newcastle between February 2006 and the summer of 2007 after six years at the club as a player, reckons it could be a lot worse than Ashley, but hopes for a new owner who is willing to spend big.
“You could have a lot worse owners than Mike Ashley,” Roeder said. “For example, Ashley stuck by Alan Pardew three or four times when he could have sacked him in that really rocky period. But he stuck by him.
“It might be worse under a new owner. When he does eventually find the price he wants, I’m hoping the owner has got deep pockets to improve the squad.”
Ashley did somewhat appease Newcastle fans on deadline day by finally breaking the club’s transfer record for the first time since 2005, by signing Miguel Almiron for £21million from Atlanta United.
But with Benitez’s contract expiring in the summer, Ashley will have to convince the Spaniard he is going to spend money in the summer in order to keep him – or sell the club.
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