Ashley - set to appoint his first Newcastle
boss.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will attempt to bring the
excitement back to St James' Park with Sam Allardyce's replacement.
It is understood Allardyce's fledgling reign came to an end amid
concerns at boardroom level not only over the results the
53-year-old had managed during his 24 games in charge, but also the
style of football he advocated.
With chairman Chris Mort currently trying to strengthen the current
squad in the difficult January transfer market, there were worries
too that potential signings could be put off by the manager's
approach to the game and the unrest it had caused within the
dressing room. It was amid that climate that Allardyce's turbulent
tenure drew to a close on Wednesday night to spark a frenzy of
speculation over his successor.
But it is clear that whoever becomes the eighth manager to slip
into the St James' Park hot-seat in the space of just 11 years, he
will be expected to provide the kind of football served up in the
Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson eras.
Former Magpie Alan Shearer is a red-hot favourite, Portsmouth boss
Harry Redknapp responded swiftly by insisting he was happy on the
south coast and that he had not been contacted by the Tyneside
club.
Redknapp's comments came as Blackburn's Mark Hughes was heavily
linked with the vacant post, while bookmakers reported significant
interest in Everton boss David Moyes.
But sources on Tyneside have hinted that the time is not right for
Shearer, and that the club is targeting an experienced manager, not
necessarily a British one, and one who is currently in work.
That would preclude the likes of McClaren, Jose Mourinho and Jol,
although with candidates starting to rule themselves out, that
position could change.