Back in 1999, Newcastle United decided it was time to add some depth to their backline, and targeted Alain Goma, then at Paris Saint-Germain.
They paid €7m for the Frenchman, who stayed at the club for two years before being sold to Fulham in 2001, where he would stay for five years.
The now 51-year-old was interviewed by Culture PSG on Tuesday, who discussed with him the decision to move to Newcastle just a year after arriving at the Ligue 1 side from Auxerre.
He revealed that he was first contacted by Tottenham, but decided to wait a bit longer before making the jump to England, even if that was what he had always wanted.
Six months later, he decided to accept Newcastle’s offer, where two years at St James’ Park began, which he remembers fondly.
Feeling that English football suited him better than in France, as the defensive aspect of the game is far more appreciated on these shores, he never managed to fully make his mark with the Magpies, which led the website to ask him if he regretted his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain so quickly.
He said: “I don’t regret it. I made my hole in England and Paris did well without me too. Even if I felt I would find more stability and make a mark there, I can say I had that experience to play in Paris.”
As for his two years at Newcastle: “The mentality is amazing. People are very friendly and have a joie de vivre. You can also compare it to the north of France and a town like Lens. Everyone just waits for the game all week. It’s like church.
“When I arrived, we lost the first five games, and people were still positive. Had that happened in Paris, they would have lynched me (laughs). The atmosphere was always there at St James’ Park. The fans scream for their team and it impresses the opponents.”
