Peter Beardsley has now been suspended on full pay for exactly one year by Newcastle United amid allegations of racism and bullying against the coach.
The club are refusing to comment on the progress of their internal investigation — headed by managing director Lee Charnley — even though the majority of the players who brought the claims have since been released and manager Rafa Benitez called for the matter to be 'sorted out' in August.
The drawn-out process has left supporters questioning the competency of the club.
Michael Martin, founder of Newcastle fanzine True Faith, told Sportsmail: 'The club have dithered and this does not reflect well on them.