Loads of Newcastle fans have been sharing their dismay in reports by the Northern Echo, which suggested the Magpies board have lined up Neil Redfearn as United’s interim boss following Rafa Benitez’s exit.
The Spaniard officially left his duties at St James’ Park on Sunday, June 30, and has since been appointed the new head coach of Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang.
Redfearn, on the other hand, was only appointed to his new position as our Under 23s head coach last month, but has emerged as a surprise candidate to take up a senior position in United’s new managerial set-up, starting with our pre-season plans.
The former Leeds United manager is due to take control of the first-team during the opening weeks of training, but could stay on in the role heading into the Premier League Asia Trophy later this month.
Mike Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley may then leave Redfearn in control while they hold negotiations with potential full-time managers, having so far made no meaningful progress in finding the man to fill Benitez’s shoes after their leading options either distanced themselves from the Magpies or have been deemed too expensive to recruit.
The reason why most fans fear the potential of Redfearn taking up an interim first-team managerial position with United, is that the Dewsbury-born 54-year-old has only taken a full-time senior head coach role on two occasions with professional men’s sides – once with Leeds and once with Rotherham United.
His time with the Whites came about after a caretaker stint in charge of the Elland Road natives and working as the assistant to various managers, before he left West Yorkshire with a 1.21 points-per-game average in 2015.
Rotherham gave the former Crystal Palace and Barnsley midfielder a return to the dugout later that year, but parted ways after 21 games, having taken five wins and recording a minus-14 goal difference.
Here’s how these Newcastle fans reacted when the Northern Echo claimed Redfearn was being lined up as a potential interim boss…
A walking disaster. Even in his playing days he never played for a club that didn’t get relegated.
— Flyingmag (@1Flyingmag) July 2, 2019
How is a man who has managed such teams as Halifax Town, Northwich Victoria and Doncaster Belles anywhere near Newcastle United??
— johnh (@gizbyker1) July 2, 2019
Eh!! Do they know this is supposed to be a premier league team???
— mr1234 (@onmyshoe) July 2, 2019
I can see it now.Neil redfearn pitting his tactical genius against klopp and guardiola.God help us please!????????
— MSW (@Toonattics) July 2, 2019
That will certainly inspire new players to come to @NUFC ????
— Sandra Farn (@hockeymom41) July 2, 2019
I just threw up in my mouth
— Toon man (@nufcbollocks) July 2, 2019
Unfortunately this was inevitable
— The Right Toon (@RightToon) July 2, 2019
Is this a wind up?
— cabbage_76 (@ClintonWright3) July 2, 2019
Impress who exactly? Not hard to impress the hierarchy.
“
Jump sir? Yes sir, how high sir”“you’ve got the job”
— Kris (@Kris1892) July 2, 2019
Charnley will be shopping in the “bin-ends” of the managerial wine rack and will come to the conclusion that Redfearn is the easiest option.
— Toon161070 (@Toon161070) July 2, 2019
Such spin is perhaps intended to make fans happy when someone like…. Nigel Adkins is appointed?
— Pee (@Carters15Pee) July 2, 2019
How is he going to compete with klop and Co in the Premier league?? The only way it could be worse is if they put shola in charge.
— steven jones (@towlawstev) July 2, 2019
I take it Aldi wouldn’t release Carver from his contract?
— Jamie Crawford (@Cut_Thumb) July 2, 2019