Peter Beardsley faces fresh claims after Newcastle youngster says he needed counselling
Toon legend, their Under-23s boss, is 'on leave' over allegations of bullying and racism and denies all the claims
Sponsored by
PETER BEARDSLEY faces fresh claims after a former Newcastle prospect said he needed counselling after his treatment from the ex-England star.
The club legend, their Under-23s boss, is “on leave” over allegations of bullying and racism. Beardsley, 56, denies all the claims.
But SunSport can reveal Beardsley is under new scrutiny after a young player went to the PFA for help after he was released, blaming the coach’s conduct as a “factor” in his woes.
The hopeful, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges Beardsley played “mind games” on him and his team-mates.
The club yesterday held a grievance meeting with winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, whose official complaint against Beardsley sparked the probe.
Ben El-Mhanni, 22, and his agent met Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley and head of safeguarding Steve Swinyard.
He gave evidence of what he claims was a campaign by Beardsley to humiliate him, some of which was disputed by club chiefs.
Ben El-Mhanni’s allegations are understood to have been supported by a number of his team-mates.
SunSport has spoken to several former and current members of Newcastle’s youth teams who have been critical of Beardsley’s approach.
The player who had counselling told SunSport: “The way I was treated and the circumstances of how I was released hit me quite hard.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“Peter likes to play mind games. It’s very strange how he treats people.
“You can be in the Under-23s and feel like Peter will be on your side and vouch for you, then all of a sudden he’ll drop you back to the Under-18s for no reason and ignore you.
“When you are fighting for a contract and mixing it with pros, you think you could be one of them and get excited. Then to be dropped like a tonne of bricks and not spoken to, it is psychological. It is tough to take.
“If you are in his good books, he can be your biggest advocate. If you are not, he’s your biggest enemy.”
It is understood Beardsley maintains he behaved properly.
Allegations have grown in recent days as complaints have become public.
Beardsley has also been accused of mocking a badly injured youngster.
A source claimed: “The lad was limping off and Peter came over and said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, you should be playing on’.
“Two days later the player was in hospital having an operation and was out for four months.”
Another former Newcastle academy star, who also asked not to be named, alleges he was released just six weeks after Beardsley promised him a deal.
DEAL ME IN Get the very latest transfer news here in SunSport's blog
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he said, ‘You are definitely staying next season’ and then went back into his office and had a laugh.”
Newcastle declined to comment.