Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is so clever he could become Prime Minister, says manager Alan Pardew

 

Nigerian-born striker has so impressed his manager in the dressing room that he thinks he could one day go on to have a successful career outside of football

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi could become Prime Minister after he retires from football because he is so clever, claims his manager, Alan Pardew.

Ameobi has become the club’s elder statesman after 14 years there and has helped to pull together a divided dressing room that last season almost cost the club its Premier League status.

Pardew is so impressed with him that he says the 32-year-old should consider quitting football altogether when he stops playing and challenge himself in other areas.

Newcastle are in no rush to lose their longest-serving player, but they have not opened talks about extending his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

“Most times footballers are put into this category where they’re not particularly bright,” said Pardew. “They’ve not really got a personality you would aspire too, well Shola is the complete opposite.

"You could put him in any environment, any school, any political field and he could hold his own. It is that intelligence that he brings to the dressing room.
“I don’t know what will happen with Shola in the future, he could become Prime Minister one day with his personality.”
Meanwhile, the Football Association has said it will not be charging Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor over the tweet he sent to four teammates that showed a black-and-white minstrel act, someone wearing a huge afro wig and an African tribesman with the caption “it’s good to see you guys smiling”.
Taylor quickly apologised for the tweet after he was criticised by anti-racism campaigners. The FA said it has reminded the player of the need to use social media responsibly but will not be taking any formal action against him.
The FA said it had found out the picture was sent to him by his black teammate, Massadio Haïdara, before he shared it.