Things might be bad but there's no way he'd take this one!!

MALLORCA IN SHOCK ROBSON APPROACH by Nic Evans

BOBBY ROBSON is being serenaded by Mallorcan representative Pepe Bonet as the Islanders look for a new coach following the departure of Luis Aragones for Atletico Madrid. Whilst it would seem unlikely that at 67, Robson would look elsewhere for a new job, the former Barcelona coach is understood to be unhappy with the lack of funds available to complete his Newcastle resurrection.

According to reports in Spain, Robson has publicly aired his desire for a change of scenery and admitted that Bonet had been in England for talks with him.

However, the former England boss was not quoted directly on the subject, and he seems committed to continuing to work tirelessly in the North East for the Tynesiders' cause.

The main evidence the Spaniards are using is the lure of Champions League football, with Mallorca safely in third place of La Liga, with the possibility of beating Deportivo La Coruna for the second spot.

Two consecutive runners-up spots in the mid-nineties gave The Magpies a taste of the Champions League, including a famous 3-2 win over Barcelona, but those days seem far beyond the current squad's capabilities.

When Robson arrived at St James' Park, they were second bottom of the league with a solitary point, but still finished a respectable 13th.

However, the legacy left by the likes of Ruud Guillit and Kenny Dalglish - a distinct lack of cash for transfers, has hampered Robson's efforts to take The Magpies back towards the top of the Premiership, despite the ambitious plans of Douglas Hall.

Hall recently claimed Newcastle were the most cash-rich club in Europe, and whilst they were in the running for the likes of Francis Jeffers, who has since decided on a move to Arsenal, they have yet to splash out this summer.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

Answers

he wouldn't leave before the 7th July

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

That would put the cat amongst the pigeons.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

Is that the same Luis Aragones who does the marginal doodles in Mad Magazine?

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

I bet that's a true story and not at all made up.

ML3

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

Are you sure it's not Bryan Robson?

Actually, could this be an omen for us? Mallorca sell Elena and get into the CL, could we repeat the feat?

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001