Houllier and Eriksson are Toon contenders
Intrigue surrounds the vacant manager's job at Newcastle with
Gerard Houllier and Sven-Goran Eriksson having emerged as potential
contenders.
Former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has been identified as chairman
Freddy Shepherd's number one target, but with no appointment
expected until after the end of the current season on Sunday, there
has been no shortage of interest in the post vacated by Glenn
Roeder at the weekend.
The emergence of both Frenchman Houllier and former England boss
Eriksson has caused a stir on Tyneside, where opinion on Allardyce
is divided to say the least.
His Sunderland background is a consideration for some - he both
played for and was on the staff at the Wearside club - although it
is the style of football Bolton played under his charge which
concerns many more.
Whether or not that is justified, the news that former Liverpool
boss Houllier and Eriksson could be interested has sparked a fresh
debate.
The Swede's agent, Athole Still, said: 'There has been no contact
whatsoever, but if Newcastle were interested in Sven-Goran
Eriksson, I am sure Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in
talking to Newcastle.
'Sven is very keen to get back into club football and he would be
interested in talking to any club which had real ambition.'
Houllier's success at Lyon - his side has clinched the French title
for the sixth successive time and second since his arrival - has
simply enhanced his credentials.
Both men have been linked with Newcastle before, and while Eriksson
seems an unlikely candidate, Houllier could represent an attractive
proposition should the club's pursuit of Allardyce stall.
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has gone on record saying he would
expect to be adequately compensated for the remaining two years of
his former manager's contract, while he has also had to contend
with the damaging allegations concerning his transfer business made
by a Panorama programme last year.
Allardyce has repeatedly protested his innocence, but there is
little doubt Shepherd would not welcome further controversy after
an eventful few years at St James' Park.
In the meantime, Roeder's number two Nigel Pearson will take on the
task of leading the club into their final Premiership fixture at
relegated Watford hoping for as much success as his last two
predecessors.
Coach John Carver took charge for the 3-0 victory over Blackburn as
he bridged the gap between the departure of Sir Bobby Robson and
Graeme Souness' arrival, while Roeder led his side to a 2-0 win
over Portsmouth in which Alan Shearer scored his 201st goal for the
club after succeeding Souness as caretaker manager.
