21 Aug 1999: Ruud Gullit
Former Newcastle United boss Ruud Gullit
Paul Dalglish has revealed the intense confrontation with Ruud Gullit that signalled the end of his time at Newcastle United. The son of football legend Kenny Dalglish, Paul emerged as a promising talent for the Magpies in 1998, netting two goals under Gullit's management before a dispute regarding his father's interactions with club staff post-departure led to his exclusion from the team.
Despite making a strong impression on home turf in a 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park, his sudden removal from the squad left supporters baffled. For years, speculation about a fallout with Gullit circulated until Dalglish addressed the incident in an interview with the club's matchday programme in 2020
He recalled the moment Gullit pulled him aside, saying: "It's the other side of football that people don't speak about. I remember walking in (to the training ground) one day and Ruud Gullit said: 'Paul, can I have a word with you after training?'
"I said: 'Yeah, no problem.'" "He was sat in the office with Steve Clarke, I sat down and he said: 'Paul, do you think we've treated you fairly?' And I said: 'Yes, I think you have.' I'd been offered a new five-year contract by Freddy Shepherd and Freddie Fletcher – I'd just been in that week negotiating the deal.
"And Ruud goes: 'Well, I think your dad's being unfair with me.' I said: 'What do you mean?' He said: 'He's still speaking to some of the players and some of the staff.'
"I said: 'Ruud, with all due respect, if you've got a problem with my dad, I'll give you his number right now. You call him, and sort out any differences you've got. I need to be judged by myself – I'm my own person'.
"He said: 'No, you make sure you tell him. If he's going to be unfair, I'm going to be unfair back'. And I never played another game for Newcastle. That's how it all came to an end."
Dalglish then signed for Norwich City, which revitalised his career through England's lower leagues and Scotland, eventually taking him to Houston in Major League Soccer, where he worked with Miami FC until 2021.
Reflecting on his departure from the Toon, Dalglish recalled, "They let me go on loan to Norwich, and it was great to be playing football again – I loved every minute of being on loan.
"They bought me to make it permanent and I scored on the first day of the season against West Brom. Ruud Gullit got fired, and to be honest with you, I went into a mini kind of rut where I was like: 'I wish I had stayed'.
"Seeing how ingrained it was in the city, just to play my small part in it was an incredible, incredible experience. I was absolutely devastated when it came to an end.
"I know things will get tainted now, and maybe because of my link to my dad, but I savoured every single moment of playing for Newcastle. When I was in the team, it was – for sure – the happiest time of my career."