Let's look back to the time Colin Calderwood left to take over at Hibs.
Hughton wanted to bring in a new face but Ashley put forward Steve Stone or Peter Beardsley ... simply because he didn't want to bring in someone on a new contract only to sack him within days once Hughton got the chop!
Ashley has given his new manager the green light to bring in whoever he wants, but Pardew has failed with a move to appoint Birmingham assistant manager Peter Grant as his new right-hand man at St James’ Park.
But Pardew has landed a new goalkeeping coach in Andy Woodman, who will quit his job at Charlton Athletic after the Addicks’ home clash with Walsall on Sunday.
Grant was Pardew’s number two at West Ham, before going on to become manager of Norwich in October 2006.
Woodman, 39, was part of Pardew’s coaching staff at both West Ham and Charlton.
Former Fulham first team coach Ray Lewington, appointed youth development manager at Craven Cottage following Mark Hughes’ arrival as manager, is a contender to team up with Pardew at Newcastle.