Robson nears agreement on Magpies pay-off

Bobby Robson is close to reaching an agreement with Newcastle over his pay-off.

The 71-year-old is being represented by the League Managers’ Association in negotiations over his severance package and chief executive John Barnwell confirmed today that talks are ongoing and that a solution is in sight.

However, Robson still has the option of requesting the issue be decided by an arbitration tribunal if agreement cannot be reached.

“It is in the lawyers’ hands,” said Barnwell. “They are negotiating with Newcastle’s lawyers and the last information I had is that it’s not that far away from being resolved.

“But if it is not resolved, Bobby still reserves the right to ask the Tribunal of Arbitration to intervene.”

Robson was sacked by Newcastle at the end of August after five years in charge at St James’ Park.

Rather than pay up his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season, in a lump sum, it is understood Newcastle are honouring his wages as if he were still employed by the club.

However, the former England manager is reportedly one of the men in the frame for the vacant post at Wolves, and if he were to get that or any other job, that would end their responsibility.

Barnwell insisted Robson has not yet asked for the case to go to arbitration and that no timescale has been put on the negotiations and he remains hopeful the situation can be resolved amicably.

The tribunal has been used only once in the history of the Premiership and that was in connection with former Southampton boss Dave Jones’ civil case.