Magpies sack manager

(07-12-2010) Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has sacked the club’s ever-popular manager manager Chris Hughton. St James Park legend and reserve-team boss Peter Beardsley has been put in charge of first-team affairs. It is alleged that Ashley thought the Magpies players were too powerful and the manager too soft. The newly promoted club currently lie in 12th place in the Premiership. Alan Pardew andMartin Jol appear to be favourites to succeed Hughton. Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill have also been linked with the job.