Sir John Hall's View on Robson's Sacking

By Matthew Jones
September 19 2004

Speaking to Tyne Tees TV earlier today, Sir John Hall commented on the sacking of Sir Bobby Robson.

Sir John Hall said:

"We haven't achieved everything I supposed we might under Bobby. There were big problems in the dressing room which were well documented.

"The watershed was the Marseille game. Everyone had tremendous expectations of winning the UEFA Cup. We didn't win it and the team played diabolically.

"I will always remember it vividly because I came back on the Thursday night with the fans.

"About five plane-loads had travelled out there and when the buses brought them back to Marseille Airport they came through the doors and saw me.

"I have never, never, never been subjected to such criticism or - I wouldn't say abuse - but strong talk. I felt at that time we were losing the fans and some of the players weren't playing for Newcastle and Bobby Robson.

"There were problems in the dressing room and you had to face up to reality and decide what you are going to do.

"I am 72 now - the same age as Bobby - and I suppose there comes a time when a lot of us really have to look how far we're going on.

"Listening to all the fans, my realisation was that it was a watershed. There was a lot of criticism. I had to stand and agree with them and I had to say, basically, there was something wrong. There's got to be change.

"It was a very difficult decision to make. I would guess that the board thought this particular season Newcastle would finish fourth and get into the Champions League. But we had a poor start to the season.

"The problems in the dressing room seemed to continue through into the season and I can understand Freddy Shepherd, the chairman's decision.

"It was the right decision, to my mind, and I'm standing by him. Probably the only thing to be criticised was the timing.

"It might have been better if Bobby had taken an ambassadorial role at the end of last season."