Chris Hughton has “parted company” with Newcastle United this afternoon with the club announcing that the board “now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward.”
Hughton’s departure follows an appalling run of form, covered in depth on these pages over the last 24 hours, that culminated in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at West Brom, a display which ultimately proved the final straw for Newcastle’s board.
Inevitably Martin O’Neil’s name has been put forward as a potential replacement although the club have however stated that the search is yet to begin…
“The task of appointing a new manager now begins. An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a successor.”
In Fantasy terms the impact is likely to be restricted to the effects on striker Andy Carroll who is owned by over 50% of Fantasy Premier League Managers. Carroll’s form has been maintained throughout Newcastle’s poor run of results and if the new manager can successfully find him a strike partner, that should be beneficial from a Fantasy perspective. A switch to 4-4-2 and a change of system may well reduce Kevin Nolan’s potential however.
Depending on the successful candidate, things may also improve defensively and, with starting roles in the central area up for grabs, a new broom could bring changes in with Sol Campbell, Steven Taylor, Fabio Coloccini and Mike Williamson all vying for two positions.
It’s all pure speculation right now of course, but a change, whether you agree with the decision to sack Hughton or not, should alter the tactics and shape in place in the Newcastle ranks, reseting the potential of some mid-price Fantasy assets along the way.
In the short-term, it will be interesting to assess the reaction of players and fans to the decision when Liverpool arrive at St James’ Park this weekend.
