Four Newcastle United players that must start v Man City
Graeme Souness has not managed a club since being sacked by Newcastle United in 2006.
Graeme Souness has admitted managing Newcastle United put an early end to his managerial career.
Appointed 21 years ago to replace Sir Bobby Robson, Souness achieved moderate success in cup competition - reaching the FA Cup semi-final and UEFA Cup quarter-final - but dismally in the league. Newcastle finished 14th at the end of his debut season.
He signed Michael Owen for a club-record fee but was ultimately sacked the following February, with Newcastle sitting 15th. Souness has spoken candidly about his time at St James’ Park scarring his prospects in management.
Graeme Souness on Newcastle United job
Speaking to Blackburn Rovers’ official YouTube channel - the club he left to join Newcastle - Souness said: “See, I spent four years in the North East when I was at Middlesbrough, I knew Newcastle was a very, very big football club and I was tempted by it. I’ve maybe been guilty of taking jobs without doing any real due diligence, not asking questions, because I always had great belief in my own ability, and that was one… you just didn’t touch it.
“When you look at the kind of managers they had before and not managed to bring them success,I know Eddie Howe has done it now, but prior to last year, the last time they won a trophy I think, was 1969. That’s a hell of a long time.
“Kevin spent a couple of years there, but I didn’t enjoy that job at all. It was partly because of the people I was working for. That’s important. You have got to have a relationship with them, otherwise it doesn’t work. I knew exactly where I stood every minute of every day (at Blackburn).
“I knew exactly where I stood at this football club. Newcastle just finished me. I just thought I don’t want to be answerable to those kinds of people ever again.”
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When Craig Bellamy went public
Souness endured a high-profile rift with Craig Bellamy during his time in the dugout. Going public while still playing for the club, the Welshman said about his manager: "I've kept my nose clean when I've been asked to play out of position and I've done it. I've risen above it and tried to do as best as I can for this club.
"It seems I am not particularly wanted by a certain person and the only way he can be seen to do it is to turn the fans against me. I've got belief that the Newcastle fans know how much I want to play for them."
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