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ALAN Smith has revealed he may return to Newcastle United next season – as an Academy coach.

Smith is currently on loan at Milton Keynes but is facing a “big decision” on his future in the summer, having come to the end of a long-term deal at St James’ Park.

A career in coaching is a consideration and he had been offered a role in United’s Academy before departing for the League One club.

It is something he may yet take up, utilising his good relationship with Alan Pardew – a manager he still speaks very highly of – to take a first step towards management.

“Before I went to MK I spoke to the manager about staying and working at the Academy,” Smith told The Journal in a wide-ranging interview.

“I’d love to keep playing, but it’s whether your body can keep doing it and for how long your body can keep doing it.

“I’ve not spoken to him (the manager) about that since, I just want to concentrate on my football, but we spoke about working with the Academy with Willie Donachie. I did some work while I was still there, doing talks at the Academy and telling the lads what it takes – how to keep your focus and not get carried away, that sort of thing. If I had stayed (rather than going out on loan), that was a route I’d have gone down.

“I want to concentrate on playing for the minute but, yeah, I’d love to come back and coach. I’d never rule out anything, it’s a great football club and a great place to be.

“You know that the people in the North East have got football at heart, that’s somewhere you want to be.” Smith was allowed to leave on loan to MK Dons in a move that he has enjoyed.

Attracted to the project of bringing success to a town where football is relatively new, he admits it has given him a fresh “perspective” on the game and made him appreciate how lucky he has been to play for three of the biggest clubs in the country.

But he remains close to events at St James’ Park and is absolutely delighted that the “excellent” coaching team at Newcastle have inspired such a brilliant season.

“I’d like to thank the manager and the club itself for letting me go and play football, which is what I wanted to do,” he

said. “I’d given it six months – I didn’t just want to walk away. I wanted to give myself a chance.

“I never fell out with anyone at Newcastle. I’d spoken to the manager and I still do have a good relationship with him. I still speak to him quite often.

“What they have done is outstanding, to be honest.

“They’ve surprised everyone, not just with their league position, but their performances.

“They have played the best football in the Premier League over the last few weeks, in my opinion. You want them to do well. Most people who are associated with the club will tell you, it’s such a good club and a big club but in some ways it’s got that feel of a small club.

“There’s so many good people involved in that club who have been there their whole life – staff, kitchen staff, people who work at the ground. Although players come and go, they’re always there.

“They’re the ones you want to do well for, they’re the ones you want to have a successful team for.

“Then there’s the fans. They stuck with us in the Championship, they stuck with us after relegation and they’re getting their rewards for it now. From an outside perspective, I hope they get into the Champions League. They deserve it.”

Smith, who is heading to the play-offs with MK Dons, is out of contract at Newcastle in the summer and admits all options are open to him.

“Now I’ve got a big summer to decide what I want to do and where I see my future lying,” he said.

“We’ve got the play-offs to come, it’d be nice to finish at Wembley and get MK Dons promoted.

“And I’d love to see Newcastle in the Champions League.

“I’ve spoken about doing my coaching badges – who knows what is next?”

Interview: Alan Smith on regrets, relegation and life after football

by Mark Douglas, The Journal
Apr 27 2012


Alan Smith leads the footballer’s life less ordinary. In a remarkably frank and rare interview with chief sports writer Mark Douglas, he talks of regrets, relegation and life after football

ALAN Smith crunches into the elephant in the room in the same way that he would a 50-50 tackle.

Considering a long and illustrious career that has seen him capped for England and signed by three of the north’s great clubs, does he feel an element of frustration at the way his time at Newcastle United played out?

There is a bracing and admirable honesty about his reply. Smith’s legacy at St James’ Park is a mixed one – he was the expensive, blue-chip signing who emerged as the surprising talisman in the rather less salubrious surroundings of the Championship.

He believes his role in that revival was his “proudest moment” in football. But should we have expected more?

“I never have any regrets on anything, but it’s unfortunate. I don’t think anyone ever saw the best of me when I was here,” he admits. “But I could say that ever since my injury (a shocking double leg break while playing for Manchester United at Liverpool in 2006), that’s always been the case.”

“I can sort of understand the criticism that comes my way, but it never bothers me because I’m my own biggest critic.

“You know deep down that to get back to those heights before my injury is going to be impossible.

“You take it as it comes and you make sure you enjoy it. You need to be as committed and enjoy it in other ways as much as you can.

“Even towards the end, when I wasn’t playing and I wasn’t in the (Newcastle) squad I was in with the manager all the time. Because you are part of a team, regardless of what job you’re in.”

Relegation had given Smith a chance to atone for the disastrous slump which occurred while he was sat as a frustrated bystander, injured as the team plumbed the depths.

He played just four games of the demotion, but assumed a central role in renaissance. “The club needed an event like that to shake it out of its complacency. Something had to happen,” he says.

“I’m proud of the role I played in that, in restoring some of the pride to the football club. We had a point to prove.

“I remember going over to Ireland (in the summer of 2009) and that was a fantastic trip. You could tell something special was happening among the players, and that camaraderie was a major part of it.

“As people, as individuals, as a collective we had to prove that what we had done, we wanted to put right. You see the measure of a man in the reaction to disappointment. Good people react well to adversity.”

Life seems good at the moment, though. Smith is sat in the plush offices of Stratstone Jaguar in Fenham, having just agreed to join the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, Andrew Strauss and Rio Ferdinand as a patron of the luxury car company’s Academy of Sport.

Given the established stars who are part of the admirable project, it is some compliment. Jaguar will pair established stars like Smith with rising stars between the ages of 12 and 24 who are supported by bursaries worth thousands of pounds. As the first representative from the North East, Smith will mentor local athletes.

He also gets an impressive new Jag as part of the sponsorship programme. ‘Footballer accepts luxury car’ isn’t exactly the sort of tale to warm the cockles but there is a twist here, for Smith is resolutely not the materialistic sort.

He kept his previous car for seven years, bought after his controversial move to Manchester United, and his Nokia mobile phone could best be described as vintage. He was offered an iPhone or a Blackberry but wonders what the point is in such vanity possessions. Smith, as the man who donates £10,000 to a charity that one Newcastle employee mentioned in passing, doesn’t exactly tally with the perception of him as a snarling, arrogant midfielder accused of greed after a series of lucrative moves.

They are accusations that have not unduly worried him and he laughs off the vicious reaction of the 6,000 Sheffield United supporters towards him after he scored for MK Dons the previous Saturday.

He knows his media-shy profile means he is partly responsible for allowing those perceptions to build up, but he places more credibility in the opinions of those who know him. He is proud of the fact that no manager – including Alan Pardew – would dream of criticising his workrate or professionalism.

“Some people see you play and have a perception of what you’re like. Then they actually meet you and they’re like, ‘Are you sure you’re the same person?’”

“It is actually quite nice because someone has to be totally different when you go to work. You’re totally different at work from how you are in normal life and football is no different.

“People can think he’s this or that, which happens to a lot of footballers. There’s this clichéd lifestyle and people thinking you only play football because it pays you a good wage. But I started playing football for £42.50 a week, and so did most of the lads. You’re just a normal kid wanting to do well for yourself and there’s no harm in that. I think sometimes when you do meet people, they do surprise you.

“I hope that’s the case with me. But I don’t really want to go around shouting about what I do (off the pitch). When you do keep yourself away from the media or whatever, they just assume you’re the same as the rest or worse.

“It is strange sometimes, but as long as you’re true to what you believe …”

The arrogance of some of his contemporaries amuses Smith, who would recommend a stint in the lower leagues to anyone. “Some footballers think that because they play football they’re totally different from everyone else. But at the end of the day, they’re not.

“When you come away from that stadium you’re living in the same normal world as everyone else.

“Since I’ve gone to MK (on loan) I’ve realised that even more. The lads playing at that level, football is part of their life, not their whole life. It gives you an insight into what life without football would have been like – mortgages, kids, putting food on the table.

“A lot of people struggle when football finishes and you’re out of the spotlight. They’re used to being so and so who plays for this team, but can you actually speak to someone as a normal man?”

ALAN Smith has been named the North East’s first patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport.

For more information go to www.jaguaracademyofsport. co.uk

Milton Keynes Dons confirmed their place in the npower League 1 play-offs with a superb 1-0 win over automatic promotion-chasing Sheffield United courtesy if Alan Smith’s first goal in five years.

The Dons, down to ten men for 35 minutes following the dismissal of Daniel Powell, only needed a point, yet they claimed three from United as Smith’s first-half header proved decisive in the absorbing encounter at stadiummk.

Since switching from a striker to a midfielder Smith has been short of goals, but his first in a Dons strip ensured their second play-off campaign in as many years and strengthened their grip on fourth place.

An entertaining spectacle throughout was played out in front of the Dons’ largest League gate of the season with over 15,000 fans in attendance.

With plenty resting on the game Sheffield United were backed by an incredible 6,000 travelling supporters which made for an electric atmosphere inside stadiummk as kick-off approached.

Both sides showed great intent to play the game in an easy-on-the-eye style with some neat passing ensuring every inch of the pitch enjoyed a share of the ball. There were half-chances at either end of the pitch in the opening 10 minutes when a Dons corner was nodded back across the box by Gary MacKenzie and Dean Lewington’s attempt to bundle the ball over was cleared on the line by a United body.

At the other end Matthew Hill was afforded the space to race down the left flank to deliver an excellent cross into the box which was intended for Chris Porter but Lewington did well to track back and ensure the forward was unable to get on the end of it.

The Dons enjoyed a strong share of possession and when they took a second corner in quick succession the home side were looking to exploit a shaky back four. It was exactly what they did as Lewington nodded back Dean Bowditch’s corner into the path of Smith, who was on hand to head the ball over the line.

Leeds-born Smith took great delight in celebrating his first goal since 2007, when he last found his name on the score sheet for Manchester United against Roma in the Champions League. The midfielder also made sure he enjoyed the chance to celebrate in front of the fans from South Yorkshire.

It was clear the goal had knocked some of the confidence out of United as passes become misplaced and shots went wayward - in particular a half-volley from Porter from 18-yards blazed well over.

The Dons were excellent on the ball and equally as impressive off it as they were quick to close down the Blades to limit their options and found holes in the United side with their pass-and-move policy.

There were some rash challenges flying in from United, possibly born out of frustration, with former Don Stephen Quinn finding his name in the referee’s book for a rash challenge on Adam Chicksen. Lee Williamson and Lewington’s names quickly followed after foul on the Dons skipper boiled over.

Williamson’s battle with Lewington was becoming a real feisty head-to-head and when the winger got the better of the left-back United had a chance to pull level a minute before the break. Wiliamson’s corner was a good one but the header from Harry Maguire was a weak one as it fell into the arms of Martin,

At the opposite end Gary MacKenzie had the opportunity to double the lead when the Dons had their own corner, but the defender’s free header from Williams’ delivery fell wide.

The half-time team talk clearly inspired the Blades to come out with more attacking intent and the Dons were put under pressure as they began to push forward. Quinn, who had been quiet in the first half, looked lively as he delivered a cross to the edge of the box but as Maguire tried to control the ball Gleeson was able to charge down the chance.

There was a real urgency about United yet the Dons’ back four stayed strong during the storm and were given great support by the likes of Gleeson and Darren Potter.

On the hour-mark the Blades made a double substitution with Ryan Flynn and Michael O’Halloran introduced. Their first duty though was to help them defend a Lewington free-kick, however the run of MacKenzie caught out the United side and he was able to plant a thunderous free-header on the ball only for the post to deny him before the Blades defence cleared for a corner.

This time Bowitch’s corner found Smith at the near post and his powerful nod looked goal-bound until Michael Doyle headed clear on the line.

With momentum swinging back in the Dons’ favour they were dealt a blow in the 65th minute when Powell, booked 14 minutes earlier for unsporting behaviour, was shown his second caution for a perceived high arm on Hill.

The Dons were already lining up the chance to bring on Luke Chadwick and after going down to ten men they also brought on Jabo Ibehre to track back in defensive duties.

United were desperate to make their one-man advantage count as O’Halloran turned easily on the edge of the area to advance into the Dons box, but Williams was excellent in his timing with a fine challenge to null the threat.

A poor kick from MacKenzie created another avenue of attack for the Blades when the cross from the left was picked up by Doyle inches inside the box, but Martin stayed calm to make a comfortable save.

As United committed men forward their defence was left exposed at time and Ibehre looked to make the most of it as he powered past his marker to force a fingertip save from Steve Simonsen.

Minutes later he caught them out on the counterattack, this time breaking through from the left flank beating Simonsen his shot came off the base of the post to deny the Dons a much-deserved second goal.

It was a tense final few minutes of the game as the Blades’ relentless pressure continued and when a fine cross from the right dragged across the goalmouth the Dons’ hearts were in their mouths. United though, were unable to find the killer touch to find the equaliser.

A huge cheer greeted the final whistle as the Dons made sure of their top-six status.

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Chicksen, MacKenzie, Williams, Lewington (c); Potter, Gleeson; Bowditch (O’Shea 75), Smith (Ibehre 69), Powell; MacDonald (Chadwick 69).

Subs not used: McLoughlin, Flanagan.

Booked: Lewington, Gleeson, Powell

Goal: Smith 16

Sent-off: Powell 66

Sheffield United: Simonsen, Lowton, Hoskins (O’Halloran 61), Doyle (c), Williamson, Collins, Maguire, Porter (Beattie 77), McDonald, Quinn (Flynn 61), Hill.

Subs not used: Howard, Taylor.

Booked: Quinn, Williamson

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)

Attendance: 15,938 (6,135 away)

Goal-Dons Goal time: 1st goal 15.10

15:21 Goal scored

Goal - Alan Smith - MK Dons 1 - 0 Sheff Utd Alan Smith scores a headed goal from close range. Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 Sheff Utd.

Saturday’s reddot matchday programme will carry an exclusive interview with Alan Smith.

The on-loan Newcastle United midfielder has let his football do the talking since switching to stadiummk in January, but speaks in his one and only interview to reddot ahead of the massive clash against Sheffield United.

He explains why he finds life at MK Dons ‘refreshing’, opens up about that injury and explains why he is desperate to be part of a Dons team that finally achieves promotion via the play-offs.

The largest League crowd of the season is expected at stadiummk for a huge clash between second and fourth in the table. The Dons need just one more point to confirm their involvement in the play-offs, but United head to MK1 knowing victory coupled with a Sheffield Wednesday defeat would seal automatic promotion back to the Championship.

However, Smith has no plans to see the Blades celebrating at the end of the game. The 31-year-old midfielder wants to see the Dons extend their winning run to three matches which would spark the perfect momentum for the play-offs.

Speaking in the programme interview, Smith said: “Obviously the battle between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday is all about who gets automatic promotion, I think both of those Clubs would have been expecting it at the start of the year.

“For a city it has probably been great for Sheffield, but I am hoping that one of them is disappointed at the end of it because we will have to meet one of them in the play-offs at some time.

“This is a long season, it’s probably the toughest League 1 there has ever been so who ever gets there deserves it but we won’t have anything in our mind other than getting three points for ourselves. We’re not looking to spoil the party, we just want to secure our own place in the play-offs.”

Grab a programme at stadiummk on Saturday for just £3 for the full exclusive interview, plus the thoughts of Charlie MacDonald, Paul Heald’s A-Z and the latest news and gossip from Simon Crampton’s Bootroom.

MK Dons moved into fourth place in the League 1 table and edged ever closer to the play-offs with a commanding 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United.

Dean Bowditch opened the scoring in a low-key first half before the Dons, in a dominant display, turned the screw on a poor Scunthorpe side with Daniel Powell adding a second before Shaun Williams netted a 40-yard stunner to wrap up the three points.

The hosts were sent down to 10 men in with 19 minutes remaining when an off-the-ball incident was brought to referee Carl Berry’s attention by fourth official Nigel Smith and resulted in the dismissal of Jordan Robertson.

At that point though, the Dons were already two goals to the good and in full control.

The one blemish for the Dons on a good outing though was a late injury picked up by goalkeeper David Martin, who has totalled 51 appearances this season. It did however pave way for Ian McLoughlin to make a late appearance and earn his League debut for the Dons.

The Dons, with Alan Smith back in the starting line-up in place of Jabo Ibehre, travelled to Glanford Park knowing they faced the draw specialist of the division and with the aim of ending a 10-game unbeaten run by The Iron.

There was little worthy of note to take place inside the opening 10 minutes as the tempo failed to gather in a scrappy beginning. There were hints of an interesting battle ahead between Scunthorpe’s Cliff Byrne and Alan Smith as the defender closely marked Smith during David Martin’s goal kicks.

The Dons tried hard to force their style of play on their hosts and in the 11th minute it proved successful. A smart pass by Darren Potter, who inked a new two-year deal with the Club two days earlier, opened up space for Charlie MacDonald on the right of the box and the striker played a fine cross in for Bowditch to finish past Sam Slocombe.

It was a bright spark in an otherwise quiet game, but it provided the lift needed and forced Scunthorpe to become a little more open in their approach. A fine through ball from midfield cut the defence in half and signs were ominous for the Dons when Jordan Robertson latched onto the ball, however, Adam Chicken marked his man well to time a challenge to perfection and null the chance.

The Iron lacked composure in front of goal and Josh Walker was guilty of wasting a golden opportunity when he went for glory from the edge of the box only to blaze over. Scunthorpe were offered another chance minutes later when the Dons’ back four was pulled apart and a slip by Dean Lewington invited Mark Duffy through for a one-on-one.

However, Martin, wearing the bright pink ‘keeper’s kit for the first time this season, denied the midfielder with a full-stretch save at his right post.

At the other end the Dons found it harder to break through The Iron backline but a free-kick from Lewington offered them the chance to once again threaten Slocombe’s goal. The skipper’s delivery was headed clear but only as far as Stephen Gleeson, who took a touch and drilled into the arms of the goalie who, after an initial spill, managed to recover.

The Dons showed great desire to extend their lead after the break with some impressive football in the Scunthorpe half, both Bowditch and Gleeson were lively around the box and only a diving block from David Mirfin prevented a drilled effort from Bowditch from nestling into the back of the net.

A lovely ball from Potter invited a break from the Dons and a heavy touch from Mirfin opened up a chance for Powell, but Slocombe was fast off his line as he made the brave decision to block with his feet.

A matter of minutes later though MacDonald made inroads down the right of the box to once again he provided a fine cross into the six-yard area and this time it was Powell who was in the right place at the right time to finish at the near post.

Jimmy Ryan single-handedly was trying to drag Scunthorpe back into the game with his energetic bursts down the wings and lively play in the Dons’ final third.

A stern challenge from Williams did not deter him and when he spotted the chance, he fed a fine through ball into the path of Robertson, yet the forward fluffed his line as he drag a low shot well wide.

Scunthorpe were allowing the Dons to play around them but when a rare sloppy pass went astray from Potter the Iron were given a chance to test Martin. Sam Togwell raced clear before spraying the ball to Ryan, yet another effort was miscued by the home side as the ball fell offtarget.

In the 72nd minute an incident off the ball to place between Robertson and MacKenzie, with the Dons defender left on the floor. Referee Carl Berry was flagged down by the fourth official, who had seen the incident unfold in which Robertson had raised his hand to MacKenzie’s face, and the Scunthorpe man was subsequently shown a straight red card.

With a man advantage the Dons were keen to press on for a more convincing scoreline and they were denied a third when Lewington’s curling free-kick came off the underside of the post.

However, a third did come for the Dons and it came in spectacular fashion as Williams unleashed a superb 40-yard drill which few through the bodies in front of him and into the back of Slocombe’s net.

The victory moved the Dons ever closer to the play-offs.

Scunthorpe United (4-3-3): Slocombe; Bryne, Reid (c), Mirfin, Togwell; Duffy (Jennings 80), Walker (Gibbons 70), Ryan; Reckford, Barcham, Robertson.

Subs not used: Lillis, Nolan, Canavan.Booked: Ryan

Sent-off: Robertson 71

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin (McLoughlin 90); Chicksen, MacKenzie, Williams, Lewington (c); Potter, Gleeson; Powell, Smith (Ibehre 74), Bowditch (O’Shea 66); MacDonald.Subs not used: Flanagan, Chadwick

Booked: Williams

Goals: Bowditch 11, Powell 54, Williams

Attendance: 4,111 (238 away)