Chris is a big name now - Big Jack
CHRIS Hughton might not be the big-name manager some Newcastle United fans craved.
And the job Hughton has done at St James's Park in reviving the club's fortunes on the pitch in the wake of last season's relegation has taken many by surprise.
But not his former Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton, who knows himself how tough it is to manage United.
Charlton – who had a year-long spell in charge of Newcastle – believes his former charge has the experience, and knowledge, to take the club to the next level.
"At one point, it looked like we were going to get somebody who is a big name," said the Ashington-born World Cup winner, speaking at this week's Sport Newcastle annual dinner.
"For me, that's Chris Hughton. He is a big name, he was a big player at Tottenham Hotspur, and he's been to the World Cup finals and the European Championships."
Hughton – who had his coaching career as No2 to a succession of managers at Tottenham Hotspur – joined United as a coach during Kevin Keegan's all-too-brief tenure, and went on to have two spells as a caretaker before assuming full control this season.
Charlton went on: "I was delighted when somebody gave him an opportunity at Newcastle because he's a very knowledgeable lad. He knows the game inside out.
"It seems like everybody in Newcastle was surprised. Chris was a background boy and more of trainer, looking after things on the training pitch.
"But he's proved himself to be a good manager, a good No1, and he deserves some credit.
"Chris for me was a great lad. He was my left-back and played for me on several occasions for the Irish national team. He was terrific. I like Chris, I think he's a very nice lad."
Follow Gazette Newcastle United writer Miles Starforth on Twitter here
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Monday 21 May 2012
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