Newcastle managing director: Andy Carroll not worth £35m

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 13 November 2011

Newcastle's managing director Derek Llambias is reportedly caught on tape in a bar abusing the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool and criticising Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.

Newcastle United's managing director Derek Llambias has reportedly been caught on tape in a Tyneside bar making a verbal attack on Andy Carroll.

A report in the Sunday Mirror claims Llambias was foul-mouthed towards the England striker and other transfer dealings.

He is quoted as saying: "I have to admit that £30m for Andy Carroll is a lot of money."

When one supporter asked him "Is he worth £30m?" he reportedly responded: "No - he's worth f*** all."

Llambias went on to say that Newcastle knew Liverpool were selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea and because of that, they were dictating the Carroll move.

"Mike (Ashley) said - and he is a brave boy Mike I promise you - get all the £35m up front. We got it all up front and then they never paid us on time and we charged them 12 grand f****** interest."

Former Toon managers Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer also came under scrutiny from Llambias.

"Kevin Keegan can't take pressure. His f****** head is all over the place," said Llambias. "Mike (Ashley) was selling to the Arabs and they wanted Kevin Keegan. The Arabs wanted him, the fans wanted him - perfect!

"Shearer was my choice and I have to hold up my hands - the wrong choice... he gave all the responsibility to [assistant Iain] Dowie. Rubbish!"

The Magpies are enjoying an unbeaten start to the season and currently sit third in the Premier League.