From Mackem Slayer to Slaying Young Player's Careers: Shola Ameobi's Time Is Up At Newcastle

Shola Ameobi is a legend at Newcastle United.

He scored 79 goals and got 43 assists in 398 games for the club. Now, on the surface that doesn't appear like a great record, but Shola made his name with his performances against bitter rivals Sunderland, where he scored seven goals in 16 games, becoming a cult hero in the process.

This led to him garnering the nickname 'The Mackem Slayer', and to this day he is looked back on fondly by fans.

His status meant that, once he retired, the club were keen to keep him involved in the inner workings, with Ameobi becoming Newcastle's first ever loan manager in 2019.

But since then, let's just say things haven't exactly been going to plan, leading to a lot of criticism from fans around his decision-making.

Youth Focus, Loans Disaster

Since the takeover back in 2021, Newcastle United have placed a much greater focus on their youth system.

It was an area heavily neglected during the Mike Ashley era, with almost no graduates making a real impact in the first team during his tyrannical reign.

These days the investment is clear to see, with highly rated talents from around the world being brought in with a view to either making it into Eddie Howe's plans or being sold on for heavy profit.

But the only way those aims come to fruition is by providing those young players with the development pathway and the correct environment to thrive.

This was Bondswell just a few months ago, another player who has been screwed over by our loan manager Shola Ameobi. Hope we give him the right development for now on, whether that’s with the first team or with a team on loan that will actually play him. pic.twitter.com/mBkDsoo7Ul

— 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕖𝕝 (@MichaelNUFC_) July 26, 2022

A lot of which comes from finding the right clubs for them to be sent on loan to in order to gain valuable senior experience – which is exactly the gripe with Shola Ameobi.

Let's have a look at some examples.

Joe White (Leyton Orient)

White has been sent out on loan a few times during his Newcastle career, with none of them exactly going to plan.

The young midfielder spent last year at MK Dons, which, in fairness, was his most successful spell, scoring six goals and getting two assists in 35 appearances.

The issue was a lack of a regular starting spot, something which has carried into his loan this season at Leyton Orient.

So far this season White has only managed five appearances in all competitions and appears to be struggling, raising questions around whether he was put into the right environment.

Trevan Sanusi (Lorient)

Now I'll cut Shola a bit of slack on this one, because it isn't really his fault at all due to an injury he sustained pretty early on, but Trevan Sanusi is yet to make a single appearance for Lorient.

This will probably be one of the most telling signs as to how long Ameobi has left in the role, as Sanusi is considered one of the top prospects at the club, and if he struggles for minutes post-injury as well, a change may be needed.

Travis Hernes (Groningen)

During the preseason tour, Hernes was used heavily by Howe, who even publicly stated how much he liked the youngster.

This meant that whatever his fate was for the 25/26 campaign had to be executed perfectly… It's safe to say that hasn't been the case.

Hernes was sent on loan to Groningen in the Netherlands, a country which Shola loves to send players to, but has so far not made it off the bench… at all.

For a player who looked like he could even be involved with the first team on a permanent basis this season, spending a season not playing football is an absolute disaster, and questions must be raised about his destination.

Antonio Cordero (Westerlo)

Now this one is possibly the strangest loan of the season.

Cordero was signed just this summer after a battle with some of Europe's top clubs for his signature.

It was seen as a coup of one of the world's top talents, but halfway through November, and Cordero hasn't even managed a full 90 across his six appearances for loan club Westerlo.

It has been an absolute disaster for such a bright talent, and Ameobi's decision to send him to a very average mid-table Belgian side has to be questioned.

Shola on Borrowed Time?

All of those instances have occurred this season alone.

Go further back and you see the likes of highly rated Australian teenager Garang Kuol, who was sent on loan to Hearts and Volendam before leaving the club permanently for Sparta Prague, after being unable to get any sort of momentum going on those loan spells.

Now of course, all the blame shouldn't be immediately pinned on Shola. The players must also take responsibility for being unable to force their way into the team on their respective loan deals.

But when the number of players who fail on loan reaches the amount that it has done (there's a lot more I haven't even mentioned in this article), and all of them are as talented as they are, then questions must be asked about where they are being sent.

"I wonder what Shola Ameobi's up to and whether he's out trying to sort out the loans that aren't going as well as hoped"

Shola Ameobi: #NUFC pic.twitter.com/h5ShBzyKEr

— adam w (@adamwnufc) May 12, 2023

Each youngster has different needs in their development, and just sending them on loan without a second thought is a recipe for disaster.

It would be a disservice to profess that Ameobi has no clue what he is doing and isn't doing his research into what a player needs, but there is no doubt questions are beginning to be asked of the Newcastle cult hero.

With a January window under new Sporting Director Ross Wilson being accompanied by links to a host of high-calibre young players, the club's intent is clear – meaning the need for successful loans is greater than ever.

And right now nobody is really sure if Shola Ameobi is the right man to lead that department in a positive direction for the future.