There was a war of words between the two, and Whelan made his feelings felt very strongly that Ashley was taking Newcastle to wreck and ruin.
We hear today there could even be a twist if Alan Shearer says 'no' to Ashley's offer of the manager's job at SJP, with Steve Bruce heading to Tyneside.
To make the relationship even MORE strained .... Ashley has raised £4.5million by selling his stake in high street chain JJB Sports (owened by Whelan).
Ashley And Whelan Go To War?
His 12m shares were snapped-up by a mystery buyer, possibly JD Sports which could bid for JJB.