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Modern Magpies 1999/2000: Robson Comes Home
CONSIDERING the changes made in the 1998-99 season, the season ended with reasonable satisfaction. Reaching Wembley and Europe was a huge bonus.
Ruud Gullit's rebuilding process was well under way with more new signings scheduled to be on Tyneside for the start of the Millennium season. But to Newcastle United supporters, four runners-up positions in four successive seasons - two in the Premier League and two in the FA Cup - was hard to take.
Newcastle's manager though had the confidence of the vast majority of Magpies supporters. And with new international players like Spain's Marcelino, Alain Goma of France as well as the young talent of Kieron Dyer, already in the England full squad, Tyneside was full of expectancy again as the new 1999-2000 season began.
However, as the new campaign began it was clear that Gullit was in difficulty. And by the time the meeting with newly promoted rivals Sunderland took place, United's camp was in turmoil.
Results had been poor and the Magpies were at the wrong end of the Premier League table. Dressing-room unrest was evident and Gullit had both Shearer and Ferguson on the bench against the Wearsiders and Rob Lee in the stand.
The controversial defeat by Sunderland proved to be the Dutchman's last act. He quickly departed and Newcastle turned to locally raised Bobby Robson's vast experience around Europe to guide the club from the mire.
After a tremendous 8-0 debut at St. James' Park against Sheffield Wednesday, Robson installed spirit and belief into the Magpies. He saw that United climbed away from the relegation zone and quite remarkably the Black'n'Whites ended the season back at Wembley Stadium - this time for a FA Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea.
Although United once more lost - by 2-1 - the club regained much of their lost pride after outplaying the expensive Chelsea stars for much of the contest. Robson continued on a plan to rebuild the Magpies after a three year disruptive period following the departure of Kevin Keegan.
Despite the roller-coaster ride, Newcastle United has been transformed from a sleeping giant at the start of the Nineties decade into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Season 1999-00
Premiership
Pos Pld W D L F A Pts
11th 38 14 10 14 63 56 52
FA Cup: S/f
League Cup: R3
Uefa: R3
Top scorer: Shearer 30
Avg Attn: 36,465
Ruud Gullit's rebuilding process was well under way with more new signings scheduled to be on Tyneside for the start of the Millennium season. But to Newcastle United supporters, four runners-up positions in four successive seasons - two in the Premier League and two in the FA Cup - was hard to take.
Newcastle's manager though had the confidence of the vast majority of Magpies supporters. And with new international players like Spain's Marcelino, Alain Goma of France as well as the young talent of Kieron Dyer, already in the England full squad, Tyneside was full of expectancy again as the new 1999-2000 season began.
However, as the new campaign began it was clear that Gullit was in difficulty. And by the time the meeting with newly promoted rivals Sunderland took place, United's camp was in turmoil.
Results had been poor and the Magpies were at the wrong end of the Premier League table. Dressing-room unrest was evident and Gullit had both Shearer and Ferguson on the bench against the Wearsiders and Rob Lee in the stand.
The controversial defeat by Sunderland proved to be the Dutchman's last act. He quickly departed and Newcastle turned to locally raised Bobby Robson's vast experience around Europe to guide the club from the mire.
After a tremendous 8-0 debut at St. James' Park against Sheffield Wednesday, Robson installed spirit and belief into the Magpies. He saw that United climbed away from the relegation zone and quite remarkably the Black'n'Whites ended the season back at Wembley Stadium - this time for a FA Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea.
Although United once more lost - by 2-1 - the club regained much of their lost pride after outplaying the expensive Chelsea stars for much of the contest. Robson continued on a plan to rebuild the Magpies after a three year disruptive period following the departure of Kevin Keegan.
Despite the roller-coaster ride, Newcastle United has been transformed from a sleeping giant at the start of the Nineties decade into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Season 1999-00
Premiership
Pos Pld W D L F A Pts
11th 38 14 10 14 63 56 52
FA Cup: S/f
League Cup: R3
Uefa: R3
Top scorer: Shearer 30
Avg Attn: 36,465
© Paul Joannou, Club Historian to Newcastle United FC
