CHRIS HUGHTON will not have the threat of a director of football working above him when he takes on the job of Newcastle United boss.
The Chronicle understands that while owner Mike Ashley is considering taking the Magpies off the market, he has no intention of reinstalling the controversial management structure.
The former system was abolished earlier this year after the arrival of Alan Shearer when Dennis Wise was shown the door.
A United source told the Chronicle: “Chris has done a fantastic job and Mike is delighted with what he has achieved so far this season.
“It’s unlikely that they’ll go back to a director of football, which means that Chris should get some say when it comes to bringing in new faces.
“But everybody knows that Mike will get the final word on whether it is financially viable to bring players in, and Chris will be working on a limited budget.”
Just 13 months ago there were major shockwaves on Tyneside when Kevin Keegan walked out on the Magpies after a series of rows with then controversial transfer chief Dennis Wise over player recruitment.
Wise left United on April 1 when Shearer insisted he wouldn’t take on the job of manager until the ex-Chelsea man was out of the equation.
Wise’s departure left a void in the management model put in place by Ashley in January 2008, and heralded as the future by managing director Derek Llambias in February this year.
But Hughton and Colin Calderwood will be given freedom to select their own transfer and loan targets – albeit on a shoestring budget.
Hughton and Calderwood must deliver their proposals to football secretary Lee Charnley and Llambias before the executive duo get the nod from Ashley to plough on with any potential transfer.
This will be the same system that has been in place since Hughton was appointed caretaker boss on July 1, and it was the former Republic of Ireland international’s choice to bring in Danny Simpson, Zurab Khizanishvili and Marlon Harewood on loan and free transfer Peter Lovenkrands.
It has also emerged that Hughton turned down an offer from his board to bring in Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink at the end of August, with the out-of-contract Dutch international then opting for Hull City.
Now Hughton and his No 2 Calderwood will be looking to add more of their own personal touches to the United side.
Hughton said today: “Colin has done a wonderful job here.
“It’s fair that once the discussions have taken place there will be lots of things around it that become clearer.
“Yes, the club have offered me something.
“And they have told me they want to turn it from a temporary one into a permanent one.
“I am delighted by that. It will be a plus to get it resolved in the near future.
“I have always said I will do it for as long as I am asked to.
“But to manage this club is a honour for anybody – and certainly me.”
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