Where are Newcastle’s 2002-03 Champions League squad now? From MOTD pundit to bankruptcy and a landlord
NEWCASTLE UNITED are on the cusp of Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.
But did you know one player from that 2003 squad now runs their own pub?
AFPChampions League nights are on the verge of returning to St James’ Park[/caption]
In the 2002-03 season Newcastle were knocked out of the European competition by Barcelona.
Since retirement, many players have enjoyed success in football related activities.
Whether that be through coaching, appearing as media analysts, or pulling pints for locals.
Here, SunSport take a look at where the side that last played under the Champions League lights are now.
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GK – Shay Given
AP:Associated PressNewcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given made 450 Premier League appearances[/caption]
AlamyGiven was presenting for Sky Sports during the Carabao Cup[/caption]
The Republic of Ireland’s second-highest capped player, Shay Given became head goalkeeping coach at Derby County under Frank Lampard.
He left Derby in 2021, and has since dipped his toe in punditry at Sky Sports.
RB – Andy Griffin
PA:Empics SportAndy Griffin was a central figure in the Toon’s defence, and scored the winning goal against Juventus in the previous round of the Champions League[/caption]
.Griffin has since gone into football coaching[/caption]
Like many retired footballers, Griffin went into the coaching side of the game and joined Newcastle under Lyme college in 2014 assisting the development of their under-18s.
He has since set up the Andy Griffin Football Academy (AGFA) which offers a two-year full time programme for players who have aspirations to play at the top-level.
CB- Andy O’Brien
News Group Newspapers LtdAndy O’Brien made 150 appearances for the Magpies[/caption]
O’Brien finished his career with two years at the Vancouver Whitecaps and has been a scout with Liverpool since 2015.
The ex-Ireland international is credited for bringing fellow centre-back Nat Phillips to Liverpool.
CB – Titus Bramble
GettyBramble played for Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic and, controversially, Sunderland![/caption]
Bramble & Dyer came together again as the Ipswich Town youth coachesDave Pinegar – The Sun
Bramble has also gone into coaching.
He re-united with former team-mate Dyer at Ipswich in 2019.
The former defender assisted with the England under-20s side in 2018 and now works an ambassador for the Futurestars charity which delivers sports to under-privileged children in Africa.
LB – Oliver Bernard
GettyBernard joined on a free transfer from Lyon in late-August 2000[/caption]
Oliver Bernard that is now the landlord of the Masons Arms.
The former beloved winger can now be found pulling pints at his co-owned pub in Blyth – a town 15 miles north of St James’ Park.
He is also the owner of non-league side Durham City FC.
However, the ex-professional has faced heavy criticism from fans who claim he has neglected the club.
RW – Nolberto Solano
News Group Newspapers LtdSolano is considered a cult hero at the Tyneside club, and was also noted forming his own salsa band named The Geordie Latinos[/caption]
GettySolano is now a key figure in South American football[/caption]
Former midfielder Solano went straight into coaching after retirement.
Solano is the assistant manager of the Peru National team, and played a part in the team’s runners-up medals at the 2019 Copa America tournament.
He was the technical assistant of Peru during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
CM – Jermaine Jenas
News Group Newspapers LtdJenas left Newcastle for Spurs in 2005 for a fee of £7 million. He paid tribute to the fierce dressing room atmosphere under Sir Bobby Robson[/caption]
PANow, he mainly works as a studio guest or as a pundit alongside a commentator by BBC Sport[/caption]
The 40-year-old has successfully gone into football punditry, commentating and television presenting.
Most recently standing in for prime-time Gary Lineker on BBC’s Match of the Day.
Jenas has also been rewarded with a permanent role as host of The One Show.
CM – Kieron Dyer
Dyer made 225 Premier League and 10 champions league appearancesNews Group Newspapers Ltd
PAHe’s also joins the long-list of those who are now coaches[/caption]
Another ex- Newcastle player to have successfully forged a career in the media.
He stepped down from his coaching role at Ipswich in 2022, amid the announcement of his diagnosis with a liver condition.
Dyer, 44, is now becoming a regular face on Sky Sports and as a panellist on BT Sport’s Saturday ‘Score’ show.
LW – Laurent Robert
Toon legend Robert returned to the UK to watch his former side take on Manchester United in the League Cup finalNNP
The French international claimed that he never envisaged being a coach.
However, he’s done just that.
Robert is now a coach at his former side Montpellier.
His son Thomas had been linked with a move to the Magpies.
ST – Craig Bellamy
PA:Press AssociationBellamy had 42 goals from 128 appearances with the Magpies[/caption]
GettyBellamy has joined former team-mate Vincent Kompany in the championship[/caption]
In rather unfortunate news, the former Wales captain has been declared bankrupt.
He is now warning young footballers to be careful who they trust to run their finances.
Amid his financial struggles Bellamy has admirably gotten his coaching career up and running – and has played his part in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League.
ST – Alan Shearer
ReutersShearer scored 206 goals at his beloved Newcastle[/caption]
He now travels the UK and Europe as a football punditRex
The Premier League’s all-time goal scorer now enjoys a career as a top football pundit.
His goal record is now being hunted by Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Shearer is a regular analyst on Match of the Day and Sky Sports.
In addition, the hall of fame inductee has also launched his own foundation with the aim of supporting disability in the North East by raising at least £250,000 every year.
