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Shepherd tells fans to 'get over' Hughton sacking

Freddy Shepherd has told Newcastle fans to ' © Getty Images

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Newcastle United

Former Newcastle United co-owner Freddy Shepherd has advised disgruntled Magpies fans to "get over it and get on with it", with many up in arms about the sacking of manager Chris Hughton.

The majority of Magpies supporters had been delighted with the way things were progressing under Hughton and there is widespread concern among the St James' Park faithful about the appointment of Alan Pardew as the club's new boss.

But Shepherd, who oversaw the sacking of fans' favourite Bobby Robson in 2004, told ESPNsoccernet: "If results go the team's way then Alan Pardew will be the best thing since sliced bread in six weeks.

"The fans might not want him and would have wished for a big name manager, but my message is to get over it, get on with it, and the fans have a duty to get behind their manager and their team.

"Look, who thought Chris Hughton would have made a manager? Nobody, is my guess. They all thought he was a good coach but not a manager, and look what he's achieved."

Shepherd gave a radio interview on Wednesday, which he claims has been badly misinterpreted as him backing the sacking of Hughton by much-maligned Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

"He didn't have a new contract, he didn't have a transfer budget, and didn't have the ability to choose his own No. 2," Sheperd said. "Under those circumstances, of course it was right to sack him - because he wasn't getting the backing.

"However, I personally don't think it was right to sack Chris Hughton. Not at all. He should have been given that new contract, he deserved it, he earned it, he should have had funds for new players and had the right to pick his No. 2. If he had been given that at the start of the season, then I am sure he would have carried on."

ESPNsoccernet revealed last month that Shepherd had been considering buying his way back into St James' Park, but he is in a battle with two other consortiums who are weighing up whether to make an offer to Ashley, whose sacking of Hughton has seen his stock plummet.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.