Newcastle Release Cancer-Beater Jonas Gutierrez on Team-Mate's Phone

Jonas Gutierrez's goal for Newcastle on Survival Sunday made for a rare feel-good story at the club after they endured a downright miserable run in 2015 and barely fought off relegation. 

But Gutierrez's departure from the club is far from something of the feel-good variety. In fact, it will give critics of the club even more ammunition against under-fire owner Mike Ashley. 

Ryan Taylor and Gutierrez were both told following the season that they would be released by the club, which didn't come as a massive surprise to either.

On the other hand, the manner in which they were told did.

Gutierrez was informed of his release with a phone call...on Taylor's phone. After Taylor was informed of his fate on his mobile phone, he was asked to hand off his phone to Gutierrez, who was in Northern Ireland with Taylor gaining coaching qualifications. 

Gutierrez, of course, is a fan favourite all around for his courageous story of beating testicular cancer, then returning to football.

Taylor explained the situation to Sky Sports (h/t Daily Mail). 

"

John Carver rang me and told me the club weren't going to offer me a new deal. 

I then had a chat with him, he's a good friend of mine. I've spent a lot of time with John in and out of the club. 

So I had a chat with him and then he asked me to pass the phone to Jonas, which was unbelievable. 

He was made to do it, he obviously was upset in doing it. I spoke to him and he seemed upset about telling two good pros who have been there a long time that it's come to an end. 

I can't really blame John because he's under instructions on what to do. 

"

Gutierrez, for his part, also wasn't shocked by the news but was unappreciative of the way it was delivered.

"I didn't get offered a new contract but it's not about that, you have to move on," he said. "The more important thing is that they can pick up a phone and call me or call my agent and say, 'Listen, thank you for everything, we are going to release you.' 

"That is more the way to do it." 

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

[Sky Sports, h/t Daily Mail]