Newcastle United are looking for a new manager after parting
company with Sam Allardyce on Wednesday afternoon.
TOON CONTENDERS
ALAN SHEARER
In 10 years on Tyneside as a player, Shearer attained legendary
status with 206 goals in all competitions and has long been touted
as a potential United manager. He may lack experience but he knows
the club - and its politics - better than anybody.
MARTIN JOL
The big Dutchman was a popular figure at Tottenham right up to his
sacking in October, and he led a Spurs revival which came within a
win - and a few healthy stomachs - of Champions League
qualification in 2005-06.
JOSE MOURINHO
The 'Special One' has been kicking his heels since his shock
departure from Chelsea in September. He is a long shot but has all
the credentials required - including a notoriously thick skin - to
end the Toon's long and painful wait for silverware.
JURGEN KLINSMANN
In his only managerial job to date, the former striker led his
native Germany to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup against the
odds. He would bring some fresh ideas and his reputation would
guarantee the respect of the dressing room.
STEVE McCLAREN
His stock may still be low following his failure to guide England
to Euro 2008, but he remains one of the best English coaches in the
game. And don't forget he led north-east rivals Middlesbrough, a
far smaller club, to the 2004 League Cup and the UEFA Cup final two
years later - more than anyone has achieved at Newcastle in many a
year.
MARCELLO LIPPI
Yet another reported England candidate, who, like Jol, rejected
Birmingham earlier in the season. The Italian's track record is
second to none with the 2006 World Cup, the Champions League and
Serie A titles on his CV.
The former Bolton Wanderes boss spent just eight months in the job
after being appointed by Freddy Shepherd at the end of last
season.
But while new owner Mike Ashley stood by the 53-year-old after his
£134m summer takeover of the club, rumours of his demise
persistently circled St James' Park as the Geordies slumped into
the bottom half of the Premier League despite a promising start to
the campaign.
The decision to change manager clearly came as a surprise to
Allardyce, who said: 'I'm disappointed obviously but I'd just like
to wish everybody at Newcastle all the best for the future and I
hope things go very, very well.
'Yes it was a shock, I didn't expect it.'
Allardyce launched his tenure in fine style with a 3-1 victory at
former club Bolton on the opening day of the season and went
unbeaten for five games.
But a dreadful 1-0 defeat at struggling Derby County on September
17 set the alarm bells ringing and more recently, abject defeats at
home to Liverpool and away at Wigan seem to have sealed his
fate.
Every time Newcastle failed to produce results, or much attacking
intent on the road, Mike Ashley, who often watched the matches from
the stands, was surrounded by fans calling for Big Sam's
head.
And all the while, the shadow of Alan Shearer loomed large with
many supporters telling Ashley their prodigal son was the only man
who could reverse the club's fortune.
The former England skipper is out of the country at the moment but
speculation is sure to reach fever pitch in the coming days as to
whether he will take the job. He is already 4-6 with the bookies to
get the job.
Jose Mourinho's name has also been mentioned in recent days on
Tyneside, though that may be more in hope than expectation.
Allardyce took training as usual on Wednesday morning and held his
normal press conference in the afternoon, rebuffing claims that
Steven Taylor and Obafemi Martins were the subject of bids from
rival Premier League clubs.
An official statement on said: 'Newcastle United have today parted
company with Sam Allardyce as its Manager with immediate
effect.
'This decision has been reached by mutual consent.'
Newcastle United Chairman Chris Mort said: 'Mike and I would like
to place on record our thanks for Sam's efforts and wish him well
for the future.
'A new manager has not yet been appointed at Newcastle United. We
will make a further announcement on the managerial position when
appropriate.
Sam Allardyce said: 'I am disappointed to be leaving Newcastle
United but I wish the club all the best for the remainder of the
season and for the future.'
First team coach Nigel Pearson will take charge of Saturday's game
at Manchester United.'
Allardyce spent just 24 games as Toon boss, but the Magpies had
only won one game in the last six.
Woeful displays at home to Liverpool and away at Wigan had the
loyal Toon Army voicing their disquiet, but after avoiding defeat
at Stoke in the FA Cup third round on Sunday it appeared Allardyce
had weathered the storm.
And many will question the time of this sacking and the way it was
handled with Big Sam apparently unaware of the move up until around
5pm this evening.
Big Sam is the sixth manager to be sacked since Kevin Keegan's
triumphant reign ended in January
