Llambias on way out of United?

Sep 20 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE UNITED managing director Derek Llambias could be poised to leave the club – even if Mike Ashley remains as owner.

The Sunday Sun understands Llambias’s position is under serious review, with Ashley considering appointing an experienced football administrator to run United’s day-to-day affairs.

Llambias, whose background is in casinos, has been derided on Tyneside since Ashley’s reign turned sour early last season.

And Ashley himself, although he harbours increasing doubts about selling Newcastle in the short term, is pondering whether the presence of a less divisive figure at the helm would both placate fans and be attractive to would-be buyers further down the line.

Llambias has made a series of public statements this summer, starting with his insistence that he and Ashley wanted Alan Shearer “to be the manager 110 per cent”, which have undermined his credibility.

The final straw for some came with news of Llambias streaking across the St James’s Park pitch for a bet following Newcastle’s opening home game of the season against Reading.