Wrong time – how tenure at the Toon doomed from start

Portsmouth 4-1 and then Liverpool 3-0. The Liverpool game in November was the worst of the pair as fans chanted: “You don’t know what you are doing”, and then Geremi – in a Chronicle exclusive – called the performance, in which Newcastle managed just one shot on target, a “disgrace”.

When then chairman Chris Mort was asked if Allardyce had Ashley’s full support he said: “Yes, absolutely. Sam is a very experienced manager, and I am sure he will work hard with his coaching team to turn the team around. He’s working hard to get his best team, and how they can work together in the best way.”

But it would all come to a head during an awful 1-0 defeat at Wigan in which Ashley sat with fans at the old JJB Stadium. During the 90 minutes, Ashley was told to change manager as fans started turning the heat up on the owner for the first time.

Allardyce would survive two more games in the Premier League but it was a 0-0 draw at Stoke in the FA Cup that proved to be the tipping point. Big Sam felt the full brunt of supporters as he walked down the touchline in the rain, but with a replay in the bag.

Allardyce would be replaced by Kevin Keegan as Ashley became receptive to supporters he’d spent many weeks listening to on concourses and in city watering holes.

Of course, as an earlier chapter in managing Newcastle, Keegan’s stay on Tyneside ended in tears and the club would be relegated later that season.

For all the disgruntlement about the style of play or recent results, when Big Sam left Newcastle they were in 11th place. His real crime under the Sports Direct magnate was merely that he wasn’t his choice as boss after Shepherd got the deal done days before Ashley arrived. But here’s the real irony, after Keegan departed and Ashley’s ambitions faltered to becoming a club happy to stay in the Premier League, he’d sacked the man who was a specialist in stabilisation.

There was no threat of the drop with Allardyce in charge but Ashley will always have two relegations against his name at St James’ Park. To rub salt into the wound for Ashley, it was Allardyce who effectively relegated Newcastle in 2016 as Sunderland boss.

Allardyce’s view on

Newcastle is simple: wrong time”.

He never came close to ending the trophy drought at St James’ Park but then not many Toon gaffers have either. With time, though, his time at “Right job,

Allardyce may have at least challenged for Europe as he was in his managerial pomp – but his stint on

Tyneside was doomed from moment Ashley snatched the keys as owner. the

Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley arriving at the London’s Rolls Building yesterday for the judgment

No name change will be made without fans being consulted, as has previously happened

I am sure he will work hard with his coaching team to turn the team around

IAN HORROCKS/NEWCASTLE UNITED VIA GETTY IMAGES Vote of confidence for Big Sam from then chairman Chris Mort Allardyce’s signing Geremi didn’t hold back with his criticism after the Magpies lost 3-0 to Liverpool