'I'm proud to be here' – Graeme Jones reacts to his Newcastle United appointment

Graeme Jones admits he can’t wait to get started at Newcastle United and have a ‘direct influence’ on results at the club he’s ‘supported all his life’.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Magpies confirmed the appointment of former Belgium assistant boss Jones to the club’s coaching staff today, having paid around £250,000 to free the Geordie from his contract at AFC Bournemouth.

Jones will add to the number of coaches on Bruce’s first-team staff, with Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence, Steve Harper and Ben Dawson all having an input on the club’s Benton training pitches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm proud to be here at the team I supported as a boy, and all of my life,” he said.

LUTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Luton Town Manager Graeme Jones during the Sky Bet Championship match between Luton Town and Huddersfield Town at Kenilworth Road on August 31, 2019 in Luton, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)LUTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Luton Town Manager Graeme Jones during the Sky Bet Championship match between Luton Town and Huddersfield Town at Kenilworth Road on August 31, 2019 in Luton, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LUTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Luton Town Manager Graeme Jones during the Sky Bet Championship match between Luton Town and Huddersfield Town at Kenilworth Road on August 31, 2019 in Luton, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

"During my playing and coaching career, it has always been the first result I would look for after my own.

"Now, I've hopefully got a chance to have a direct influence on results and the future of the football club, which is something I'm very excited for."

There’s been some talk about whether this is an appointment made above Bruce’s head – and the manager has done little to dispel that of late with his initial reluctance to discuss the deal, then lack of glowing reference in his pre-Leeds press conference.The boss, however, admit he is delighted to welcome Jones to the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Newcastle United head coach, Steve Bruce, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Graeme on board. He is vastly experienced and I could tell speaking to him that he is hugely passionate about the club and very keen to join us."He is from here but has been away for 35 years so the opportunity to come in and give us a hand is one he has jumped at."

Jones was previously assistant to Cherries boss Jason Tindall.

He has also worked on the coaching staff at West Brom as well as having spells under Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium.

Jones has worked as a manager in his own, at Luton Town, but was sacked with the club struggling in the Championship.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a a player Jones played for Doncaster Rovers, Wigan Athletic, St Johnstone, Southend, Boston United and Hamilton Academical.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

We’ve launched a new transfer window special offer for readers to get 20% off our subscription package.

Use the promo code TRANSFER20 to sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor