Former West Ham manager Alan Pardew is reportedly set to take over as new manager at St James’ Park.
“I like Chris Hughton but it was heading one way in my opinion, quite a few people wouldn’t agree with me but I think Ashley’s done the right thing,” Shepherd said.
“I think the signs were there and I’m not surprised at all. No contract, no transfer funds and no assistant after Calderwood left, I’m surprised that anybody is surprised. Ashley obviously thought it was the right decision.
“Remember nice guys don’t win. I’ll not be a hypocrite, if I was Mike Ashley I’d have been worried as well.”
Shepherd continued: “Chris was a nice guy, a lovely guy, in fact I’ve never met anyone as nice or as decent as him but I think the problem was it was heading in one direction and the signs were there. Why is anybody surprised when they wouldn’t give him a contract?
“Everybody knows he was one of the poorest paid managers in the Premier League. He was too nice a guy and that was his downfall. But I bet he walks into another job straight away.”
Shepherd believes Newcastle fans may turn against the current club owner.
“The fans will have a huge influence over the next few months,” Shepherd added. “The last time mike Ashley had a problem they were outside the ground with banners and God knows what.
“The fans do put pressure on you. I know because I was there for 15 years. I am Geordie so perhaps they gave me one per cent more than they give Ashley.
“He (Ashley) is not Mr Popular and he would put his hands up and say that. He went about it the wrong way from the start. He should have kept Sam Allardyce. Why he got rid of Sam I don’t know. Then the other five managers followed on.
“I got rid of a few in my time there so I am the last one to start having a go at Ashley for getting rid of managers.”
