NEWCASTLE: Newcastle United have sacked manager Chris Hughton, the English Premier League club announced on their website on Monday.
The north-east side made the announcement a day after Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion, a result that left United 11th in the table. As recently as October the club said they would be looking to re-negotiate Hughton’s contract in the New Year after speculation he was about to be sacked.
However, Newcastle are now only four points above the relegation zone and have not won in their last five games.
Hughton, 51, led Newcastle to promotion from the second-tier Championship last season and was in his first full-time role as a head coach.
Newcastle thanked former assistant boss Hughton for his efforts but the Magpies’ statement said: “Regrettably, the board now feels an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward.”
Hughton, Newcastle’s eighth permanent manager in six years, had enjoyed some excellent results this season, including a 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, a 5-1 derby demolition of north-east rivals Sunderland and a 1-0 win at Arsenal.
But recent away results have been disappointing, with a 5-1 defeat at Bolton followed by Sunday’s loss to fellow promoted side West Brom.
In October, Newcastle said Hughton’s position was safe after a 4-0 League Cup loss at home to Arsenal led to speculation about his future.
“Chris is our manager and will remain our manager, and it is our intention to re-negotiate his contract at the end of the year,” Newcastle said at the time.
Hughton responded at the time by saying: “I have very much enjoyed my time here and I am very, very happy here and would like to stay here for as long as possible.” Former Southampton manager Alan Pardew was installed as the 7/2 favourite to replace Hughton by British bookmakers William Hill, with former Villa coach Martin O’Neill 9/2 and ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley 12/1.
Meanwhile, Brescia on Monday sacked coach Giuseppe Iachini after a run of 11 league games without a win. The final nail in the 46-year-old’s coffin was Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Serie A leaders AC Milan. Things had started so well for Iachini this season, having guided Brescia to promotion from Serie B in the last campaign.
But after three wins in their first four matches, Brescia have not won in almost three months, picking up just three points.
They sit fourth from bottom of the table but level on points with the two teams directly below them. Italian press claim former Siena boss Mario Beretta is the favourite to succeed him.
