manager Alan Pardew has stated that club chairman Mike Ashley is the best that he has worked with.
The Magpies chief has received criticism from the club’s fans in the past over some of the deals that he has orchestrated, whilst he was also questioned for his sacking of Chris Hughton to bring Pardew to Tyneside.
Despite this, Pardew led the side to a fifth-placed finish last term, and has been rewarded recently with a new eight-year contract.
The coach has stated that he is pleased that he can go about his everyday business without having the chairman looking over his shoulder.
“He is the best chairman I have had in terms of letting me work,” Pardew is quoted as saying in The Daily Mail.
“He hardly ever bothers me and if he does, it’s about a decision involving the budget, questions like, ‘Was that a good move?’ or ‘Could we have paid less?’.
“But outside of the team, very rarely will he stop me and say, ‘Why did you sub him at that time?’ or ‘What’s the story with him? Why isn’t he playing?’.
“He trusts me and knows I am being fair. I am trying to get the best out of the team,” he concluded.
Newcastle take on local rivals Sunderland on Sunday, with the corresponding fixture last season full of aggression and heated moments.
It is believed that key defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor are both close to making a return from injury, and will face late fitness tests ahead of the game.