Bellamy in tribute to Sir Bobby

Craig Bellamy has heaped praise on departed Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson.

Robson was sacked by The Magpies on Monday after five years at the club.

The decision has divided opinion on Tyneside, but Bellamy claims he retains nothing but respect for the former England manager after he brought him to Tyneside from Coventry in the summer of 2001.

"Bobby is a great manager," the Wales international stated. "He brought me to this club and I will always remember him for that.

"He gave me the opportunity to play on a massive stage.

"Being part of Newcastle United is a dream for me and I owe it all to him.

"Whatever I go on to achieve in my career, Bobby will have played a massive part in it.

"I will never ever forget the debt I owe to him."

Meanwhile , Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has insisted he was left with no choice but to dispense with Robson's services, because of the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

With just two points from their opening four games Shepherd felt the time was right for a change, but conceded it had been an extremely tough choice to make.

"Sir Bobby is a great guy, but the position I have is that I have to do what is best for the club and felt a change had to be made," he stated.

"I cannot allow any sentiment over this. Football is a big business and sentiment has to go out the window.

"I know Sir Bobby has brought this club a long way and he will always be welcome at St James' Park. I haven't fallen out with him, just like I never fell out with Kevin Keegan, Kenny Daglish and Ruud Gullit."

However, the search for Robson's successor is no further to being resolved with a number of leading candidates having ruled themselves out of the running.

Birmingham's Steve Bruce and Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren have both indicated that they are not interested in the vacancy, while Alan Shearer is understood to have informed the club that he does not want to take on the role as he feels it is too soon for him to make the jump into coaching.