Joe Cole has claimed that Newcastle United bringing ex-Brighton sporting director, Dan Ashworth, to the club would be a ‘smart move’, as he told the All to Play For Podcast.
There have been some drastic changes, from top to bottom, at Newcastle this season, including new Saudi-led owners and a new manager in Eddie Howe.
With only a few weeks of the Premier League season remaining, those sitting in the stands at St James’ Park were expecting a nerve-racking end to a relegation battle.
But it’s far from that because it’s a comfortable finish awaiting Howe and his players, as well as a possible top ten finish.
There are suggestions that Ashworth, who resigned from his job at Brighton, is going to be the brains upstairs, as Cole shared his thoughts on the 51-year-old, as well as Newcastle’s clash against Liverpool on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t put my money on it (Newcastle beating Liverpool),” said Cole. “I wouldn’t back it.
“But, out of all of the teams there, you know Eddie Howe’s teams are going to be organised. The shackles will be off as well.
“We have been big fans of Eddie’s. When he walked in there were a lot of questions. It seems forever ago that we were considering them for relegation. I think that was the best appointment they could have made.
“Also, Dan Ashworth, I don’t know the situation with him. But if he is up there, then it’s another smart move by Newcastle. It’s so exciting to be a Newcastle fan. The next years, they are going to go on a glorious ride together.”
The Ashworth situation is a difficult one because he is currently on gardening leave after leaving Brighton and, as things stand, he won’t be able to start work at Newcastle until November.
That’s unless the Magpies agree compensation with Brighton to end his notice period early.
Whether Ashworth is the club’s Christmas present or in the North East in the summer, this Newcastle project is slowly starting to build.
As for the fans, they are enjoying watching their best period out on the pitch for a very long time.
Don’t close your eyes Newcastle supporters because many of them still probably can’t believe they are in such a situation.
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