Argentine Flop to FA Cup Heroes: Where Newcastle’s 2001 Squad is Now
This weekend, Newcastle United will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup for the first time in 25 years. This fourth-round clash at Villa Park marks a significant moment in the history of these two clubs, having last met in the FA Cup back in January 2001.
Historic Matchup: FA Cup Clashes in the 2001 Season
In that memorable encounter, Darius Vassell scored the only goal to eliminate Newcastle from the competition. During that season, Newcastle, managed by Bobby Robson, had previously drawn 1-1 with Villa at St. James’ Park. They faced Villa again for a replay, but unfortunately, it ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Key Players from the 2001 Newcastle Team
Many players from the 2001 Newcastle squad have moved on to diverse careers. Here’s a look at where some notable members are now:
- Steve Harper (GK): Joined Newcastle in 1993 and became the club’s longest-serving player until 2013. Currently, he is a goalkeeping coach and media pundit.
- Andy Griffin (RB): After a promising start, Griffin transitioned into coaching after stints at multiple clubs. He now runs the Andy Griffin Football Academy.
- Alain Goma (CB): Briefly played for Newcastle, scoring once during his tenure. Goma is now a property consultant and a fitness trainer.
- Marcelino (CB): Regarded as a flop, this former player is now a FIFA agent and heads SF Sports Agency.
- Aaron Hughes (LB): This homegrown star became a coach as the technical director for the Irish Football Association.
- Clarence Acuña (MF): After a promising start, Acuña now works in football administration with CONMEBOL.
- Christian Bassedas (MF): Joined from Argentina, he recently served as the sporting director for Audax Italiano.
- Stephen Glass (MF): Now the assistant manager at Hungarian champions Ferencváros after a series of injuries disrupted his career.
- Gary Speed (MF): Made 285 appearances for Newcastle until his tragic death in 2011; he was the manager of the Wales national side at that time.
- Shola Ameobi (FW): A fan favorite at Newcastle, Ameobi continues to be involved with the club while serving as both a player manager and ambassador.
- Kevin Gallacher (FW): Now a media pundit, Gallacher also runs a football coaching business.
As Newcastle prepares for this weekend’s match, they will seek to honor the legacy of their past players by achieving a victory against Aston Villa. The hope is to rewrite the narrative of their previous FA Cup meeting in 2001.
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