Shepherd Doesn’t Pick Players

By Nick Raynor
December 4 2006

Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has insisted he is a Chairman, and does not try to play manager.

There has been suggestions that Shepherd has chosen players to sign, and even gone as far as to pick the squad.

 

But the chairman insists Roeder makes the decisions, not him, and has also pledged to support Roeder financially during the January transfer window.

 

Shepherd said:

 

"I don't interfere with transfers and it is ludicrous to suggest that I bring in the players or make signings without the manager being involved,"

 

"There is no way I have ever said to a manager 'There is Mr X - you have got him whether you like him or not'.

 

"It would be madness for anyone to do that. I know that they do that on the continent, but it wouldn't work in English football.

 

"I don't get involved in team selection and I don't hang around the training ground. That's not what I am paid for.

 

"We have spent £250 million on players since I have been on the board, so no one can ever accuse us of not backing managers."