Speed Blasts Robson Rumours
By Matthew Jones
October 5 2003
Newcastle United and Wales' midfielder Gary Speed has slammed the rumours claiming that Sir Bobby Robson was going to retire. The boss himself had to officially deny that he was resigning, much to the annoyance of many United players.
SPEED SAID: "I had a few phone calls asking about whether the manager had quit, but we knew it was complete rubbish.
"On the day he was supposed to have quit we were in training with him in the morning and afternoon so how could he have quit?
"We know the sort of person he is and there is no way he would contemplate quitting. We're 100 per cent behind him just as we always have been.
"The rumours were just nonsense, I don't know how they started or spread, but we have no interest in them whatsoever.
"We laugh at the stuff written and said about us sometimes, but it can be irritating as well.
"Like the rumours of a dressing room split, it is utter rubbish. We've got a fantastic team spirit here, but that doesn't stop the rumours starting.
"But still people go on about it. I don't even know why I'm answering questions about it now because it's not true. I'd rather talk about football than untrue rumours.
"I've even seen some things suggesting that the team spirit is as bad as it was when Ruud Gullit. It's not even on the same planet, there is no similarity whatsoever."