NEWCASTLE coach Chris
Hughton has moved to end speculation
that Kevin Keegan's authority
at the St James' Park is
being constantly undermined by
the club's owner Mike Ashley.
Hughton joined United last
month as the club's new first-team
coach, with mischief-makers suggesting
he was Ashley's appointment
and not Keegan's choice.
It followed similar accusations
when Dennis Wise (executive director),
Tony Jimerez (vice-president
of player recruitment) and
Jeff Vetere (technical co-ordinator)
were all unveiled as part of
the club's restructuring plan soon
after Keegan was installed as
manager for the second time.
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If the appointments of Wise,
Jimerez and Vetere were surprises,
then the same applied to
Hughton. But the former Tottenham
defender and White Hart
Lane coach made it known it was
Keegan's decision to appoint him.
"I got a phone call from Kevin,"
said Hughton when he was asked
how his move to Newcastle
evolved. "Obviously I knew Kevin
from the (football) circuit over the
years, somebody I'd spoken to.
"He asked would I like to come
up and assist with the team' and
the answer was yes' instantly.
"Why am I here - you'll have to
ask Kevin, but because I'd had a
long association with Tottenham
and worked with a first team of
their stature, I would say that had
a fair bearing on why Kevin wanted
to bring me in."
The former Republic of Ireland
defender also dismissed the suggestion
he landed his new post because
of his Spurs links.
It is widely acknowledged Ashley
was a former Tottenham supporter
and sought advice from a
friend, former Spurs director Paul
Kemsley, regarding the restructuring
of the club.
But Hughton insists there was
no other influence in him moving
300 miles north.
"I know Dennis (Wise). Tony
(Jimerez) I met on one occasion
quite a few years ago, but if you
asked me if I knew him, not really.
"Dennis, of course, I saw him on
the circuit so I knew him to a degree
but no, I did not speak to
them before the move, just Kevin.
"I know Paul Kelmsley well
from Spurs but I can honestly say
the only contact I had was the
phone call from Kevin Keegan. I
spoke to him midweek and within
four days I was here."
It was initially suggested that
Hughton was brought in as the
club's new defensive coach but the
former Spurs favourite revealed
he hasn't been given any specific
coaching title.
"I know what my brief is here,"
said the 49-year-old. "It is very
much to work with the players
and to work with Kevin Keegan,
Steve Round and Terry McDermott
with the first team in any
way I can.
"There is no specific role. It is
not as defensive coach. Before I
came here, we were one coach less
with Nigel (Pearson) having parted.
Kevin felt he wanted to bring
in another coach and that's me."
Hughton makes a sentimental
return to his former club tomorrow
for the first time in his professional
career.
The Stratford-born Irishman's
association with the club goes
back to 1977. And aside from two
short spells at West Ham and
Brentford between 1990 to 1993, he
spent the best part of 31 years at
White Hart Lane.
Hughton made it known he is
not an emotional man as a rule
but admits the occasion may get
to him a little.
"I'll certainly be focused
enough not to go into the wrong
dressing room," said Hughton,
who won two FA Cup and one
UEFA Cup medal with Spurs.
"As a player you always look forward
to going back to your old
stomping ground, but I wasn't
able to do that. As a coach I will,
and what you want to do of course
is get a good result - that would
make the day a far better day."
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