It has emerged that Newcastle United caretaker manager John Carver was informed of his dismissal over the phone by coach Steve Stone, who was then informed of his dismissal by John Carver.
Carver heroically managed to lead Newcastle to success in a relegation dogfight – an achievement that looked improbable under Alan Pardew – but he didn’t always enjoy the best of relationships with supporters.
Fans stood against Carver for his apparent tactical naivety, poor selection decisions, oddly crumpled face and angry rants against fans, who he would then force to have tea with him.
But few will have agreed with the way in which Carver’s dismissal was dealt with by Newcastle.
Carver was instructed to call first-team coach Stone to inform him of his sacking, while Stone was entrusted with the task of telling Carver he had been relieved of his duties.
“It was the toughest phone call I’ve ever had to make, mostly because we kept talking over each other,” Carver told FourFourTwo.
“I started off trying to thank him for all his service to the club, but he was too busy stating how much he appreciated my efforts over a tough period.
“In the end we both agreed it was with deep regret that we couldn’t allow each other to continue on this journey with Newcastle United.”
“For a while after we hung up I was a bit angry with John for firing me,” Stone told FourFourTwo.
“But in the end his first loyalty is to Newcastle United and I know that. Plus, he had every right to be a little irked at me for sacking him, but then he must realise that I have to put Newcastle United first.”
A Newcastle insider has hinted that the club regrets the manner of Carver and Stone’s dismissals and that Steve McClaren will be informed of his sacking in the more traditional manner of a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant.
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