Magpies would have been relegated with Robson, says Hall

NEWCASTLE deputy chairman Douglas Hall has claimed the club would have been relegated had Bobby Robson continued as manager.

Robson parted company with Newcastle after five years at the St James’ Park helm in August following an indifferent start to the season.

Hall said: “We had to get rid of Robson because he would have got us relegated. There was nothing more certain.

“It was a big decision and one that you don’t take lightly. But we could see the team just weren’t doing it for him.

“We took two points from a possible 12 and couldn’t just stand back and watch Newcastle slide out of the Premiership. We were going down, no mistake about it.”