The former Dutch sensation has gone on record in the past to state his regret at joining the Magpies in 2004. In what can only be described as a move directed by the heart instead of the head, Kluivert admitted that the standing ovation he was awarded at St James' Park during his Barcelona days was the main reason behind his move to the Magpies, although the bumper pay-packet surely helped! A marquee signing under Sir Bobby Robson, the Dutchman's signature provided much excitement and anticipation of great things among the Toon Army faithful, but his best days soon seemed well behind him. Despite having turned the club from being relegation candidates to European contenders in his five years at the club, Robson was given his marching orders within months of Kluivert's arrival and the Dutchman was never able to settle into new manager Graeme Souness' starting XI. On the rare occasion he was given the nod to lead the Newcastle front line, Kluivert looked uninterested and off the pace - a back heel against Crystal Palace proving to be the only real standout moment in his time at the club. However, unprepared to take personal criticism on the chin, the striker blamed the undroppable Alan Shearer for his failings on Tyneside, claiming that Souness wasn't brave enough to go against the Geordie legend.
