Jones sets out ‘target’ for remainder of time as Newcastle boss
Newcastle’s interim-manager Graeme Jones said he would discuss what happens next at the club with the new owners after Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea.
A permanent replacement for Steve Bruce, who left the club nine days ago, is expected to be appointed before Newcastle’s following game at Brighton a week on Saturday.
“I’ll have a chat with the owners and see where we are. No more than that and take it from there,” said Jones, who became first-team coach at his hometown club under Bruce in January.
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“I think our job here, right now, is to make this football club as united as it possibly can be for the next manager that’s coming.
“We’re a point better off than last week and obviously after tomorrow’s game we’ll see where we are, but the new guy needs to walk into a really healthy football club.
“With 52,000 people, plus 20 players and staff pulling in the same direction and that’s my target.”
Jones, who said his own future at Newcastle was assured, admitted he will have to keep his emotions in check before taking charge in front of a sold-out St James’ Park for the first time.
“There’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. “Honestly, you can’t go there with the emotions. Yes it’s my football club, first game at St James’ Park, but I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to do it to the best of my ability.
“So I haven’t thought about that. I’m thinking purely about the game and nothing more.
GJ on not playing the occasion:
“I speak to the players a lot about their own emotional control. Sometimes it’s not going with the momentum of the crowd, it’s understanding what’s needed at certain moments in a game. The mental performance has to be good – as does the physical.’ pic.twitter.com/oIiiBnDKyO
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 29, 2021
“What happens between now and January 1 is going to define our season and it would be remiss of me if I didn’t concentrate on the Chelsea game.
“We’ve got the Champions League winners coming here, so I’ve not thought about anything else.”
On the Chelsea match, Jones continued: “We’re certainly not getting carried away with a draw, but it was a solid place to start.
“We’ve spent the early part of the week focusing on ourselves and trying to be better and then the latter part of it on Chelsea.
“I’m pleased with the five days of work.
“We’re a point better off than what we were last week and we’ll see where we are after tomorrow. The new manager needs to walk into a really healthy club with everyone pulling in the same direction. That’s my target.”