David Ginola recently shared insights on his reluctant departure from Newcastle United in 1997, a move that was deeply affected by managerial changes at the club. Ginola, who joined Newcastle in 1995 from Paris Saint-Germain for £2.5 million, quickly became a fan favorite. Over 75 appearances, he helped Newcastle to two second-place Premier League finishes, contributing with memorable performances and seven goals. However, his time at the club was cut short after Kevin Keegan’s departure and Kenny Dalglish’s arrival as manager.
In a new book about Newcastle’s ‘Entertainers’ era, Ginola reveals that Dalglish’s management style marked a stark contrast to Keegan’s. While Keegan fostered an exhilarating and supportive environment, Dalglish’s approach led to tension between him and some of the squad’s key players, particularly foreign signings like Ginola. “I didn’t want to leave the club,” Ginola shared, reflecting on how he struggled with the changes Dalglish introduced. Following a public comment on his frustrations, the two clashed, leading to a decisive row. “He told me I couldn’t go to the newspapers and say these things,” Ginola recounted, explaining how their relationship soured after that.
Ginola’s concerns about Dalglish not taking the club “to the top” proved accurate. Newcastle finished 13th in Dalglish’s first full season, their lowest since their Premier League promotion in 1993. The manager was dismissed early in the 1998-99 season following a poor start. Though Ginola went on to excel at Tottenham Hotspur, winning the League Cup and earning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 1998-99, he still holds fond memories of the “magnificent atmosphere” at St James’ Park during Keegan’s era and hopes those days will one day return for Newcastle.