Redknapp turns down Newcastle

Redknapp turns down Newcastle as the counter-swipes begin

Harry Redknapp has turned down the chance to manage Newcastle, largely because of family and geographical reasons. Newcastle maintain, faintly ludicrously, that it was because they wouldn't give him a private jet to commute to and from Teeside, accusing Redknapp through club sources of wanting to manager the club from the South coast.

Redknapp will not pleased at being portrayed in this light, especially since he had let it be known he was prepared to move North. Seems Newcastle's comments are aimed for it's own supporters more than anything else.

For Newcastle the search goes on, with reports that they are now turning their sights to Europe. They are also apparently resigned to this season being one of transition, with Newcastle comfortably in midtable their view is that they have no need to rush the appointment. The latest names in the frame are Gerard Houllier, Louis van Gaal and Ottmar Hitzfeld. Of those, it is believed van Gaal has strong support from the Newcastle board.

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Tottenham have topped all offers for Lyon striker Fred with a cool 11 million pound bid. Clearly preparing for one of their four strikers to move on, they have substantially outbid Portsmouth and Paris Saint-Germain. However it appears Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, has told Fred to pick his club, even though the Paris Saint-Germain bid is as low as 7 million.

Harry Redknapp is in talks with Newcastle about his imminent move. He went to an office in London's Bond Street, and met with Paul Kemsley, along with the agent Dennis Roach and Chris Mort, the Newcastle chairman. However Mike Ashley was absent, being in the Far East on business, which complicates things as Redknapp is thought to be keen to speak to Ashley before concluding the deal. Things should be tied up by the middle of next week.

Newcastle close in on Redknapp

Events gather pace as bets are off on Harry's move

Newcastle close in as Redknapp remains silent. Harry Redknapps move to Newcastle appeared to be gathering pace last night, with events all pointing to an imminent departure for the 60 year old Redknapp.

The usual pre-game press conference was cancelled and Redknapp was driven away from the ground by Portsmouth Chief Executive Peter Storrie as a media scrum gathered.

Speculation was further fuelled by the unavailability of the Newcastle charman Chris Mort, and it is understood Newcastle are preparing to formalise thier approach. Some reports have Portsmouth bowing to the inevitable already, with a compensation package being discussed. However Portsmouth maintained the 'he's happy here' line, but this had a distinctly hollow ring to it.

Newcastle hope to have Redknapp installed in time for him to act during the January transfer window.

Redknapp will become the ninth manager in the eleven years since Kevin Keegan left, which clearly indicates the perils of the job. In that time Arsenal have had two managers, Manchester United one, and Liverpool three which roughly equates to the league positions of the clubs over that time! Newcastle fans can only hope Redknapps arrival heralds a period of stability for a club who make a habit of turmoil and change in a relentess and fruitless pursuit of success.

Sam Allardyce out at Newcastle

Allardyce out as Newcastle pull the trigger yet again

Sam Allardyce has parted company with Newcastle via the age old 'mutual consent' route. Seems Newcastle have in their time honoured tradition bowed to the pressure from fans and local media and pulled the trigger in double quick time. That makes it 6 managers in the 11 years since Kevin Keegan left. Stability and continuity bring success and Newcastle have left themselves in turmoil yet again.

One of these years, they will get a chairman who is prepared to ride it out, believe in his manager and give him time to get it right. There are those who believe they have done it now in the hope of getting their man before Liverpool pull the plug on Rafael Benitez in the summer.

Harry Redknapp has emerged as an early favourite.