RUUD GULLIT may have been the last manager to lead Newcastle United into a cup final — but the legendary Dutchman knows that is not how he is best remembered on Tyneside.
Gullit’s year-long reign at St James’ Park was defined not by a Wembley defeat against Treble-winning Manchester United but by a spectacular bust-up with Alan Shearer.
When Gullit made the bombshell decision to drop his captain for a derby against Sunderland, and the Magpies lost to their bitter rivals, he resigned three days later.
It was one of football’s most infamous ego clashes — pitting Gullit, a former Ballon d’Or winner and European champion with club and country, against local hero Shearer, who would become Newcastle’s record goalscorer.
The feud continued for some time but when the pair began working together as TV pundits, they made up over several beers — to the shock of Shearer’s wife Lainya.
Gullit said: “The funny thing is that during the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, we were working together for ITV.
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“We ended up at a party and we were just laughing together and drinking.
“Alan’s wife came over and said, ‘I cannot believe it… in our house, you were the No 1 guy we hated and now you two are laughing and joking with each other’.
“We’d met a lot of times in TV studios but that night we really got on so well.”
“Sometimes you cannot agree but you can still respect one another.”
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“Of course I wish I’d had longer at Newcastle, I had a good time with the (late) chairman Freddy Shepherd and I’m still in contact with his family.”
Despite his explosive exit, just three months after the FA Cup Final defeat by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, Gullit insists he has huge affection for Newcastle.
He will be rooting for them on Sunday when they face Manchester United again, in the Toon’s first Wembley showpiece in 24 years.
And while Newcastle’s Saudi moneymen may prefer Champions League qualification to the Carabao Cup, Gullit is adamant that winning a first piece of major silverware since 1969 should be the club’s absolute priority.
Gullit, a Laureus Academy member for the World Sports Awards, said: “They need a trophy so they can believe.
“I’d want to win a cup more than finishing in the top four,
silverware is something you can show.
Alan’s wife came over and said, ‘I cannot believe it… in our house, you were the No 1 guy we hated and now you two are laughing and joking with each other’
Ruud Gullit on Alan Shearer
“You cannot show people something to say you have qualified for the Champions League. There is no medal, no trophy, no parade.
“I hope for the Newcastle fans, who are fantastic, that they win. They need a bit of success, it will make them so proud.
“It has been difficult for Newcastle, they didn’t do a lot for 20 years and were also relegated twice.
“It’s a pity because I enjoyed Newcastle, I loved the fans and the stadium.”
Gullit took over from Kenny Dalglish two games into the 1998-99 season and despite an indifferent league campaign, he led the Magpies through a tough Cup run which included wins over Blackburn, Everton and Tottenham.
But at Wembley, Manchester United completed the second leg of their historic Treble, defeating Gullit’s men 2-0 with goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes.
Gullit, who had become the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup with Chelsea two years earlier, said: “I watched that final, maybe 10 years ago, on ESPN Classic.
“I hadn’t remembered much of the game — but when I saw it, we actually didn’t play badly at all. We played well.
“They just had more individual class, all of their strikers and midfielders could score goals.”
“I liked competing against Ferguson, I had a lot of respect for him but if you’ve played for Milan and won European Cups, you’re not afraid of anyone.”
“Unfortunately on that day, we couldn’t. I’m proud of reaching the FA Cup final but we just played the best club in Europe that day.”
The following season, things turned swiftly sour for Gullit.
He refused to give a squad number to Shearer’s great friend, England midfielder Rob Lee, and after the Toon took just one point from their first four Prem games, the crunch arrived.
Gullit dropped Shearer and strike partner Duncan Ferguson for a Tyne-Wear derby, preferring teenager Paul Robinson — a boyhood Sunderland fan — to start up front.
Newcastle led but were beaten 2-1, a Kevin Phillips winner arriving after Shearer and Ferguson arrived as subs.
The fallout was toxic and Gullit fell on his sword.
He had further brief spells as boss of Feyenoord, LA Galaxy and Russian club Terek Grozny but has not worked in management since 2011 – and insists he does not regret leaving the profession.
Gullit said: “I enjoyed management but it’s not an easy job.
“Look at all these guys who are still managing — they look grumpy, they look grey and old. it takes a year off your life every game you take charge of!”
Gullit is, though, impressed by the job Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle.
Since the Saudi takeover, Newcastle have spent a quarter of a billion pounds on new players — still not as much as Gullit’s other former Prem club, Chelsea.
He said: “Newcastle haven’t spent as much as people would think – especially when you see what Chelsea have done.
“I give a lot of credit to Howe. He’s a very good coach.”
Gullit is glad to see a fellow Dutchman, Sven Botman, thriving at the heart of Howe’s miserly defence.
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He said: “I’ve spoken with Botman, he’s a nice kid, and he’s doing well there.”
*Ruud Gullit is a Laureus Academy Member and was speaking to mark the announcement of the Laureus World Sports Awards nominees. For more information visit www.laureus.com
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
