By Tyne-Talk
July 31 2011

Former Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan has slammed the club for the way he feels he was given no choice but to leave, after being “betrayed” by the board. Nolan was quoted in The Mirror yesterday in a lengthy interview in which he said he had plans to see out his career in the North East, but that a 4 or 5 year deal which had been discussed, failed to materialise. A deal which was apparently met and improved by West Ham.


Former Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan has slammed the club for the way he feels he was given no choice but to leave, after being “betrayed” by the board. Nolan was quoted in The Mirror yesterday in a lengthy interview in which he said he had plans to see out his career in the North East, but that a 4 or 5 year deal which had been discussed, failed to materialise. A deal which was apparently met and improved by West Ham.

Fans were furious when Nolan chose to leave the club to join Championship side West Ham, earlier this summer despite having 2 more years on his then current contract, which would have seen him at Newcastle until 2013.

He said;

“I envisaged ­spending the rest of my ­career at the club. I was settled, happy and I adored the supporters. I was captain of a huge club and played with a smashing group of lads I had untold respect for.

But ultimately I was forced out because I lost trust in key people at the club and when you lose trust in people it’s almost impossible to ­regain it.

From January and shortly following the sale of Andy Carroll to ­Liverpool, I was involved in ongoing discussions about signing a new contract ­between four and five years.

I discussed the deal at length with managing ­director Derek Llambias and even shook hands on it. In my book when you do that man-to-man you expect them to see it through.

But what we talked about and what they finally offered me was laughable. They did a U-turn on what we agreed They showed me no ­respect. I felt totally betrayed.

Then they had the nerve to claim I rejected a new contract. What contract? A deferred option to increase my deal by 12 months with a bonus that hinged on the ­success of the team on the pitch the following season.

Perhaps I was just naive. I thought I had a good relationship with the board. But when it all came to a head in the summer I knew my time was coming to an end.

I had given the club everything but they didn’t want to give me anything in return, just broken promises. I ­simply couldn’t work with people like that. There was no way back for me.”

Nolan Betrayed Or Making Excuses?

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 31/07/2011 11:59

TyneTalk
31/07/2011 11:59

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annie
31/07/2011 12:24

He'll be 30 next year a five year deal would have kept him till he's 34.
Hmmmh! He's not getting any quicker so maybe the club is right not to offer him such a long term deal.

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tunyc
31/07/2011 17:53

To answer the question, I believe him. That lines up with everything we've heard about how the club is run now. If it's blatant lies they'll be refuted. But in reality:




...crickets...

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Biffins Bridge
31/07/2011 20:45

Yeah, maybe a contract extension was discussed around xmas but his second half was very poor and not just his lack of goals. That would make any team think twice.

There is more to this than just Newcastle not offering him the long contract. Again, why not just see out your deal....because West ham will come along and pay you 15 mill over five years.

Not saying Ash hasnt went back on things but the door swings both ways.

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senyabtoon
31/07/2011 22:24

Quote:

Joey7Barton If it wouldn't effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose's comments would be the tip of the iceberg.....

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