FM21- Tyneside Revival: A Newcastle Career

ModerIsta · March 16, 2021

Being an avid Football Manager player, and having been inspired by others posting, I decided to start my own journey to share with everyone. A journey on Tyneside. Newcastle United.

One of England's most stories clubs, Newcastle United are a team that have been in crisis for a very long time. Mismanaged by Mike Ashley, gone are the days of Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Alan Shearer, and Champions League nights. Gone are the title fights, the iconic Keegan rants. Nowadays on Tyneside, for over a decade, ever since Ashley's acquisition of the club in 2007, Newcastle United have seen multiple relegations, sackings, horrific football, you name it. A far cry from the 90s, when Newcastle would challenge for trophies and break the world transfer record on Alan Shearer. Despite Ashley's best attempts to sell the club, a rumored Saudi takeover by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fell apart after the 2019/2020 season. This, of course, occured after yet another relatively mediocre, yet comfortably mid-table finish, in their 3rd season back in the top flight after their promotion in 2017. With that, seeing no hope for himself, or for Newcastle, manager Steve Bruce decided to mutually part ways with the club.

Who would be his replacement?

The man chosen to take the reigns on Tyneside? Gary Neville. Yes, the Manchester United legend, former failed Valencia boss, and current Sky Sports pundit. Contacted by Mike Ashley after Bruce's leaving, Neville was quick to agree to terms to take control of the Magpies. Despite frustration from the Toon Army that Neville would be another failed manager, following in the footsteps of Alan Pardew, John Carver, Steve McClaren, and Steve Bruce, it was done. The True Geordie himself remarked "Well, surely he cannot be worse than Steve Bruce". Only time will tell, though.