Stunned Enrique wants ´big name´ successor

Newcastle defender Jose Enrique believes the club must target a big-name replacement for the sacked Chris Hughton.

Enrique said the players had been stunned by Hughton’s dismissal on Monday after he led the Newcastle to promotion from the Championship last season and to 12th place in the English Premier League this season.

The 24-year-old left back told the Daily Mail he was bemused by the decision, claiming all the players had wanted him to stay in the job.

“We don’t have a team that belongs in the top six. It’s not like we’re low down in the table. Things are like this at this club. Strange things happen,” Enrique said.

“We were all happy with Chris. He’s a great person, he works really hard and we all wanted him to stay. He’ll get a chance with a big club soon because he is a great manager.”

“The fans are not happy, the players are not happy.”

“It was a big surprise and we haven’t been told a thing about why he left or who might come in.”

“If they are going to fire someone as good as Chris, they have to then bring in a big name, someone who has won trophies. And that doesn’t even mean he will necessarily be better.”

“If they just bring in someone similar, it’s a joke.”

Club legend Peter Beardsley has been placed in charge at St James’ Park in a caretaker capacity, with former Southampton and West Ham boss Alan Pardew emerging as the favourite to take Hughton’s job on a permanent basis.