Having looked at the top 25 youngsters, oldies and foreigners we now have a look at the most hated players to have appeared in the Premier League.

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COS columnist Liam Trim is as confused as the rest of us when it comes to working out what the hell a “Director of Football” actually does and whether such a role is even needed?

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Can’t you take a hint?

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While most football fans have to put up with a decent chunk of disappointment, Newcastle supporters seem to have it tougher than most, with their club regularly featuring on the back pages for all the wrong reasons. Many members of the Toon Army must be delighted that Tottenham’s current plight is keeping their own club out of the headlines, although they’ll also be pleased to see one of Mike Ashley’s boardroom recruits buggering off. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Ex-England manager Terry Venables is expected to decide on Thursday whether to take over as interim Newcastle boss … so the BBC tells me.

But is this such a good idea? Does Terry Venables really have what it takes to turn Newcastle around? What has he achieved since Euro 96? Will the Newcastle fans accept him as he is a close friend of Dennis Wise? [Read the rest of this entry »]

With Gus Poyet rejecting talk that he’s about to become Kevin Keegan’s replacement, the club appear to be no closer to appointing a new manager at St James’ Park. Indeed, it seems nailed-on that caretaker boss Richard Money will be picking the team for the visit of Hull on Saturday, and he’s expecting the eleven players selected to get a warm reception. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Kevin Keegan is unlikely to be returning as Newcastle manager for a third time and Alan Shearer has decided against throwing his hat into the ring for the vacant position at St James’ Park. Therefore, it appears as though any appointment will not be to the fans’ liking, although this one could send a cacophony of boos ringing around Tyneside. [Read the rest of this entry »]

The transfer window may have shut as far as players are concerned, yet this doesn’t apply with managers, so the newspapers content themselves with speculation surrounding the vacant posts at West Ham and Newcastle. I suppose it’s inevitable that the clubs will go for similar sort of candidates, although the Magpies also need to bear in mind how popular their selection will be with the fans. [Read the rest of this entry »]

While Magpies fans are probably still smarting after Kevin Keegan resigned from the club on Thursday night, he’s not coming back for a third time (!), so it’s time to turn our attention to who might replace him as Newcastle manager. At least the board have over a week before their next match which is at home to Hull City. But who will accept this poisoned chalice? [Read the rest of this entry »]

While David Moyes and Didier Deschamps are names in the frame for the vacant Newcastle manager’s position, there is a clear favourite with fans, even if he doesn’t have any managerial experience. If he is persuaded to take the hotseat at St James’ Park, let’s hope his coaching skills are better than his punditry efforts! [Read the rest of this entry »]

The writing was on the wall earlier this week, when reports first emerged that Kevin Keegan had quit as Newcastle United manager. While the club eventually released a statement to confirm that King Kev was still in charge, this was all for nothing after the Magpies gaffer walked away from St James’ Park for the second time. [Read the rest of this entry »]

According to many reports on Tuesday, there was no way back for Kevin Keegan at Newcastle, despite the board’s vote of confidence in the manager. However, he continues to remain in charge of the first team, despite missing two training sessions this week after protracted talks with Mike Ashley et al. It sounds like King Kev is willing to stay after all, but only on his terms. [Read the rest of this entry »]

First came news that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was scrimping over the suits of his players, making them pick up the tab for their sartorial needs. Next came word that Ashley hadn’t completed his due diligence and so was completely unaware that his team still owed instalments on several players. [Read the rest of this entry »]

The transfer window may have slapped shut but the rumours still slither out…

Manchester United are contemplating on a £15 million bid for FC Porto full back Jose Bosingwa in the summer. It is believed that Man United’s assistant manager Carlos Quieroz’s contacts with the club could help secure the deal for Man United at the end of the season. The 25-year old himself is buoyed by the fact that the Red Devils are interested in him. (various)

And Arsene Wenger also plans a summer raid on Porto, the Frenchman wants to bag £20m-rated midfielder Ricardo Quaresma. (The People)

In order to keep their young starlet tethered to the club, Manchester City are going to give 18-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge a whopping pay rise, hoping that showering the young lad in cash will keep him away from the evil Slugworth-style clutches of Chelsea and Arsenal. (News of the World)

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is after Leicester City full-back Richard Stearman. (News of the World)

After flirting with the idea of signing Debry winger Giles Barnes in January, Newcastle will finally get their man in the summer for £3m. (The People)
…And newly hired Director of Football Dennis Wise wants to give his old mate Gianfranco Zola a job with the St James’ club, offering the Italian a position in the scouting team. (The People)

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is to have a summer clearout, sanctioning Xabi Alonso’s £15m return to Spain and also telling John Arne Riise, Peter Crouch, Harry Kewell and Andriy Voronin to pack their bags. (News of the World)
…And Peter Crouch will move to Man City with £12m and 19-year-old City midfielder Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction. (The People)

Kevin Keegan has put to bed any suggestions that Dennis Wise was appointed as Newcastle United’s director of football without his prior knowledge. Despite giving the impression during Monday’s press conference that he was none the wiser (!) about the ex-Leeds manager arriving at St James’ Park, the BBC report that Wise will be reporting to ‘King Kev’ on all matters and that he was fully aware of the club’s intentions.

He said: “I am all for the changes and I approve of them. They want someone on the board who understands football, and Dennis understands football very well.

“It will work very well. Dennis reports to me – the chain is established.”

“I knew about it. It’s not a surprise to me, it might be to other people,” Keegan told BBC Radio 5 live.

“Two or three names were given to me when I first sat down and talked about the job with the owner. One of them was Dennis.

“I know Dennis. I know he’s intelligent. I know his job here is to help me. He’s on my side.

“How can any manager be against someone who is going to come to the club to try to bring in talent?”

Still, considering there are just two days before the January transfer window is firmly shut, it seems like rather bizarre timing from the Tyneside club.

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