Geordie DNA ...
"A club without DNA or that doesn’t appreciate its history and brings it to the current setup, then it doesn’t have much of a future,” is the philosophy George Ogararu follows, instilled in him during eight years at Ajax as a player and a coach.
Ajax is certainly a club that knows its past and for a while it weighed heavily around its neck but by embracing it, they have reached those heights once again thanks to the return of some club legends. Sound familiar? Well Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar have been key in turning fortunes around thanks to their work as director of football and chief executive, respectively in creating an Ajax DNA.
In addition, the return of Frank de Boer to the club as manager in 2010 helped them put emphasis on youth, bringing through the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen, creating a side that won their first Eredivisie in seven years surrounded by previous great professionals of Ajax; people that understood what it meant to play there. Using this as a template, I firmly believe, and have spoken about this on ‘The Black & White Show’ on Nova Radio North East, Newcastle United need to approach the same problem with the same answers – using Ajax as the blueprint. What better time to implement the change. However as we hopefully welcome new owners in the coming weeks; with Financial Fair Play regulations to satisfy if we are to show improvement in our league standings, then surely this offers a realistic route to this?
A start has already been made! Shola Ameobi is the Loan Manager, Steve Harper is a coach and even to a lesser degree Steve Bruce is the current Head Coach but we must go further and be bold. In my opinion a great way to start this would be a new Director of Football, someone to help the manager going forward and to take weight off the manager's shoulders. There are lots of possibilities here and they don’t have to have been born in a north east postcode but they should understand the club as that gives them such an advantage over people like Dennis Wise or Joe Kinnear.
Coming to mind, Les Ferdinand and Nikos Dabizas and then sign up legends of the club to be ambassadors and have coaching roles like a Tino Asprilla, a Robert Lee or even an Alan Shearer at the training ground. Players from yesteryear inspiring, supporting and coaching the current and new players. The knowledge, the experiences, the insights they can pass down are invaluable to any manager and player and that is what Ajax do so well and why their younger players make it in great numbers. We should recruit players from all walks of life who have been there and get the unique challenges Newcastle United brings as a one club, one city team and you’ve got the key to future success.
Not only are the benefits in terms of experience but it gives a greater connection between the fans and club with a family feel – which is something sadly lacking in the previous 13 years. It is a winning formula everywhere.
This takeover could be just what we need for a better Newcastle United.