Hughton tells Mags to ignore turmoil
Chris Hughton returned to work at crisis-torn Newcastle United today.
And the Magpies' caretaker boss insisted that the turmoil which has engulfed St James's Park must not be allowed distract his players from the hard work which needs to be done in pre-season.
The experienced former Tottenham coach – who had two spells in charge last season – confirmed he will be assisted by Colin Calderwood, who has returned to Tyneside on a week-to-week contract as efforts continue to sell relegated Newcastle, with two bidders said to be in talks with broker Keith Harris.
All but five of Newcastle's squad – international quintet Sebastien Bassong, Geremi, Jonas Gutierrez, Damien Duff and Xisco – are due back for the start of pre-season training on Wednesday.
Only a handful are not up for sale, and Hughton and his staff are faced with the unenviable task of motivating a group of players who do not know if they have a future at St James's Park.
Also, the fitness work will be hindered by the resignations of strength and conditioning coaches Mark Hulse and Robbie Elliott, though the club is hopeful they will continue to work while they serve their notice.
"Everything will be done properly will the group of players that is there, and everything going on outside of that has to stay outside of it," Hughton said.
"Whatever the situation will be, when it comes to the first day of pre-season training, the players will go through a good and correct programme for however long it is until someone takes over.
"The most important thing is that the players get a pre-season under their belts. They have to get a good pre-season, and everything has to be done properly by the staff and players. The most important thing is that the team has to come straight back up."
Former Nottingham Forest manager Calderwood had been expected to leave St James's Park, with the deal he signed in January expiring this week, but he will assist Hughton and goalkeeping coach Paul Barron for the time being.
Hughton added: "Colin's here in the short term until we know what's going to happen."
Hulse, meanwhile, is set to join Liverpool as the director of fitness for their Academy, while Elliott is understood to have been offered a post at Washington-based Nike.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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