Toon Broadside

Freddy Shepherd made an amazing broadside on managers' chief John Barnwell after unveiling Glenn Roeder as his new manager.

Shepherd presented the 50-year-old at a press conference on Tuesday morning after handing him a two-year contract, and then turned his attention to Barnwell, chief executive of the League Managers' Association.

Barnwell claimed the decision of the Premiership chairmen to waive their own rules opened the door to 'the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker'.

Shepherd: 'I think it's a disgrace he's said that, by the way, and shame on him. The League Managers' Association is a union, and for a union leader to try to stop someone getting a job, I find it incredible that he should go to these lengths, and very, very disappointed.

'He's an old neighbour of mine when we were kids. I can't believe this guy has said that.

'I'm very disappointed. Throughout the search for the right man, we have kept a dignified silence, but I feel today enough is enough. It's a bit rich that some of the ones that have been making the most noise are the ones that Newcastle turned down for the Newcastle United job.

'You can see how upset I am with these guys.'

John Barnwell insists there was 'nothing personal'.

Barnwell : 'It's not an LMA directive, it's a FIFA directive we are following and it's not personal. If Mr Shepherd wants to make comments he can, but we're all for coach education and that's all we're trying to say.

'If Glenn Roeder however wishes to become a member of the LMA again we will give him all the encouragement and help required to carry out the difficult job of football manager. This will not however deter us or the PFA from our aims of raising standards for coaches/managers.'

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