Geremi: "I understood why he took the captaincy away from me. He said it was because I was going to be away on international duty. That was the good thing because he explained why. I respected it and it doesn't change anything about me - all that has changed is I don't wear the armband.
"I still see myself as a leader because I will still talk to players and I still have the respect of the dressing room. By the time I returned from Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, Sam was gone.
"I heard about it when I was in Africa because I was in contact with people and I was concerned about what was happening in Newcastle.
"I've never heard from Sam, but that is football. Football teams can create a family and also separate a family. Sam and I aren't enemies, these things just happen in the game."