Newcastle's knight

Robson still relishing managerial challenge

Robson rode into town on a sunny afternoon in September 1999 to rescue the ailing Premier League club after the resignation of Dutchman Ruud Gullit.

The Tyneside giants were in disarray and seemed relegation certainties but County Durham-born, Newcastle-supporting Robson quickly restored order and harmony in dramatic style.

His first home game was a remarkable 8-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, a result that set the tone for his St James' Park career.

Robson guided his new charges to safety and last season they finished fourth to earn a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

Newcastle's upward mobility must be credited to Robson who greeted his knighthood for services to football, in a career spanning 52 years, by saying he was "flattered but a little embarrassed."

His man-management skills, motivational ability, tactical nous and knowledge of the game have been crucial factors in bringing a huge smile back to Tyneside as memories of the golden era of Kevin Keegan faded under Kenny Dalglish and Gullit.

Hugely popular

He is hugely popular with the Toon Army -- as Newcastle's supporters are known -- always ready to sign autographs, attend local functions and chat with the fans.

Robson, who says he "bleeds black and white," is worshipped like a god by the fans and thrives on the fact that they share his enthusiasm for the club and the beautiful game -- a trait always in evidence when Robson meets the public and the media.

While some mangers treat journalists with contempt, Robson seems almost to regard them as old friends.

His news conferences are enjoyable, relaxed and humorous occasions with Robson usually happy to chat openly and at length on almost anything and always ready to entertain with a joke.

He has a quick-witted sense of humour but there are plenty of stories -- urban myths perhaps -- on the football circuit and on Tyneside that indicate a hilarious forgetfulness.

One centres on young striker Shola Ameobi while he was on England Under-21 duty. When asked by Howard Wilkinson what Robson called him for short, Ameobi replied: "Carl Cort."

It may or may not be true but surely even Robson would find the story amusing.

There can, however, be no doubt about the former England manager's shrewd judgement and his determination to provide thrills and spills.

The 69-year-old's team have become known as 'entertainers' again as they were under Keegan.

They have gained countless admirers -- including Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson -- with their fast, attacking brand of play in which quicksilver striker Craig Bellamy and midfielder Kieron Dyer form a formidable alliance alongside the likes of Nolberto Solano and Alan Shearer.

Magnetic force

Since taking over at Newcastle, Robson has enthusiastically mixed youth with experience, never afraid to blood new players.

That has again been in evidence this summer with the signing of Portugal's rising star Hugo Viana from Sporting Lisbon and defender Titus Bramble from his old club Ipswich Town.

Bramble underlined how Robson remains a magnetic force.

"When I heard there was interest from such a great manager as Sir Bobby it wasn't difficult to make my mind up to come to Newcastle," he said.

Both 21-year-old Bramble and 19-year-old Viana appear destined to play a big part in Newcastle's future with Champions League football on the immediate horizon.

The Magpies travel to Sarajevo to face Zeljeznicar on Wednesday for the first leg of the final qualifying round before the return fixture a fortnight later.

Robson is relishing the challenge of the new campaign as if it was his first. "We are in the top stream now -- finishing fourth in the Premiership was very important to us and we must try to at least repeat that this season," he said.

"We will carry on trying to build and get better. We won't keep still. We must always try to improve. At the moment we have the best squad we've had since my arrival.

"And by bringing in the likes of Viana, Bramble and Jermaine Jenas [from Nottingham Forest in February] we have bought young players for the future and for today -- well I hope so because I'm here today.

"But with these signings I have really tried to look after the club."

Inevitably Robson must retire someday, but he will leave a lasting legacy both as man and manager.

Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.