HEARTLESS!
Two Toon stars axed in one brutal phone call
NEWCASTLE UNITED have been branded ‘ heartless’ after kicking out cancer survivor Jonas Gutierrez and long-serving Ryan taylor in one telephone call.
Argentina midfielder Gutierrez, who had twice recovered from testicular cancer before scoring the goal which sealed Premier League survival, did not even have the courtesy of his own call to learn his seven-season career on tyneside was over.
Instead, outgoing head coach John Carver rang taylor to say he would not be getting a new contract, then asked him to pass his phone to Gutierrez to deliver the same message.
Gutierrez said: ‘I didn’t expect to get offered a contract but it’s not about that. the more important thing is they can pick up a phone and call me or call my agent and say, “Listen, thank you for everything, we are going to release you”.’
taylor and Gutierrez are in Belfast gaining coaching qualifications. taylor, who joined the club in 2009, said: ‘John Carver rang and told me the club weren’t going to offer me a new deal. So I had a chat with him and then he asked me to pass the phone to Jonas, which was unbelievable.
‘He was made to do it. He seemed upset about telling two good pros who have been there a long time that it’s come to an end. I can’t really blame John because he’s under instructions.’
Fan favourite Gutierrez has previously spoken out against owner Mike Ashley over the club’s treatment of him during his illness. News of this insult could not have come at a worse time as Ashley seeks to repair his broken relationship with
supporters. Steve Wraith of NUFC Fans United said: ‘It’s heartless and it’s upsetting to hear. You would expect two proper pros such as them to be told face to face about their futures. ‘If there is a wrong way to go about things then Newcastle United will do it. It’s even more disappointing that this comes off the back of some good PR after Ashley’s first interview. But we are back to square one with supporters angry and the club lacking class once again.’ Meanwhile, Steve McClaren will sell his vision for Newcastle to the club’s hierarchy this week as he moves closer to being appointed head coach. The former England boss, who was sacked by Derby last Monday, is preparing a presentation to deliver to managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr. Should formal talks go well, McClaren’s arrival could be confirmed before next week. The 54-year-old is on a shortlist alongside Patrick Vieira, and the former Arsenal and France midfielder being linked with the post has been well received among fans. However, sources close to Vieira, while confirming Newcastle’s interest, have suggested the club will have to sell themselves to the 38-year-old and, as of last night, no date had been set for a meeting. Vieira is also attracting interest from elsewhere, including a new deal at Manchester City, where he is head of their elite development squad. Vieira has received huge support on Tyneside — he had 92 per cent in his favour in one online poll — but he would want more control than McClaren and negotiations would probably take longer. Given Newcastle’s preference to appoint a new boss as soon as possible, sources have indicated that it is McClaren they expect to be unveiled in the coming week. Other factors in McClaren’s favour are his salary demands — he would cost less than Vieira — and the absence of a compensation payment Whoever gets the job will be tasked with immediately identifying potential signings. Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford, Hull City defender James Chester and Marseille winger Florian Thauvin are already on a shortlist of targets.