Magpies yet to swoop for boss

NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd insists he is yet to approach anyone over the vacant manager’s job at St James’ Park, amid a frenzy of speculation over Graeme Souness’ successor.

Shepherd’s comments came as former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri’s odds shortened, with Sam Allardyce slipping behind favourite Martin O’Neill following Bolton chairman Phil Gartside’s insistence he is not interested in another Premiership job.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Kevin Keegan have been linked to the job but Shepherd is adamant he will take his time.

“We have made no approach to anyone at this moment in time,” he told the club’s official website.

Academy manager Glenn Roeder and skipper Alan Shearer, who have both ruled themselves out for the job on a permanent basis, have taken temporary charge.