Newcastle United have issued a statement insisting they are set to open contract talks with manager Chris Hughton.
Newcastle insist they want manager to stay
Newcastle United have issued a statement insisting they are set to open contract talks with manager Chris Hughton.
The Magpies have been forced into making a statement, amid mass speculation that Hughton was set to leave the club.
Some bookmakers had closed the market on the next Premier League manager to be sacked, such was the extent of money being taken on Hughton to depart.
But the North East club have now stated that they will be holding talks with Hughton over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
The statement said: "Chris is our manager and will remain our manager, and it
is our intention to re-negotiate his contract at the end of the year."
The statement came as Newcastle were comfortably knocked out of the Carling Cup with Arsenal sealing a 4-0 win at St James' Park.
Committed
Hughton underlined his annoyance with the constant rumours about his future after the match.
Talking to
Sky Sports News, he said: "It is difficult not to [be affected], we are all aware about what goes on television, what is shown on television but I cannot do anything about that, I can just do the best job possible.
"I had the remit last season of trying to get this club back in to the Premier League and that I was able to do and I have a remit this season of keeping this club in the Premier League and we are a short way into this vision and we are doing okay.
"We have had our ups and downs this season but the league table says we are doing okay. So I can't affect anything that is said, it is of course very unfair, but that is the industry we work in.
"As far as I am concerned I am a strong character and you have to work around these situations, they are not nice but the problem with rumours is that there is always rumours until they are not anymore."
