Didi Hamann has opened up about his Newcastle United exit in 1999 - a controversial decision that left fans furious at the time.
Having burst on to the scene at St James' Park with a thumping free-kick against Juventus in a pre-season friendly win in front of the Gallowgate End, supporters were excited about the arrival of the Germany international. But after the man who signed him from Bayern Munich in Kenny Dalglish was replaced by Ruud Gullit, Hamann had to prove himself to the Dutchman all over again.
Hamann picked up an injury in Gullit's first game in charge, a 4-1 loss to Liverpool, but then impressed fans later that season with goals against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Gullit went on to lose the dressing room after trying to replace Alan Shearer and not handing Rob Lee a squad number in 1999.
