With Newcastle being turned down by Harry Redknapp and hammered 6-0 at Manchester United, their need has never been greater to get a new man into the hot-seat.

Magpies fans and Redknapp himself would like to see former number nine Alan Shearer make a return to St. James' Park as manager, or perhaps as part of a dream ticket with Kevin Keegan. But what do the faithful want in a new manager? And how do they want the club to perform? It seems the next boss has to be all things to all men, while winning games and playing beautiful football.

The one thing a new man at the helm will not have is time. Despite Rome not being built in a day, Geordie fans expect Newcastle’s footballing empire to be completed in around 24 hours, while left drooling over sexy football.

'Despite Rome not being built in day, Geordie fans expect Newcastle’s footballing empire to be completed in around 24 hours'


How will an experienced manager be able to turn a club like Newcastle United around in less than the paltry eight months Sam Allardyce was given in charge? Even Sir Alex Ferguson would struggle - and Arsene Wenger would find it near impossible.

So what hope for Shearer? The truth is Big Al is in a hazardous situation. He is idolised at St. James' and would have everything to lose if he couldn’t deliver what the fans crave. And he may find his reputation in tatters.

After all, we all remember Glenn Hoddle’s ill-fated return to Tottenham.

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