Shepherd starts search for new Magpies boss

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd today began the search for a new manager after admitting his decision to sack Sir Bobby Robson was one of the toughest he has ever had to make.

Shepherd relieved Robson of his duties on Monday after the Magpies picked up just two points from their first four games of the season.

And the news immediately sparked a swirl of speculation over Robson’s successor with Premiership rivals queuing up to distance their own bosses from the St James’ Park hotseat.

Shepherd said: “It was a tough decision to part with Sir Bobby – one of the toughest I’ve had to make.

“We spoke of our admiration for the man… when we announced the decision, and it is very upsetting when you part company with a great guy like Bobby.

“But in situations like this there is no room for sentiment. We thank Bobby for the job he did in his five years at the club, but we have to look forward now,” Shepherd told Newcastle’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk.

Alan Shearer is now the clear favourite to succeed Robson but there is a growing feeling the Magpies striker is not yet ready to assume the post.

Terry Venables has been mentioned as a possible stopgap replacement while the inclusion of a number of current Premiership bosses on projected shortlists had provoked considerable ire.

Bolton and Birmingham both hit back at speculation today insisting neither Sam Allardyce nor Steve Bruce were going anywhere.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: “Sam Allardyce is five years into a 10-year contract at Bolton and he is committed to rewriting the history of this club.

“As far as I am concerned Sam has only written the first page and is dedicated to finishing that job.

“I have a special relationship with Sam and I am sure he will want to finish the job here and create a legacy.”

Bruce looks a better bet with his north-east background and the big impression he has made at St Andrew’s.

But Blues boss David Gold insisted the Magpies would face a fight if they were to attempt to prise Bruce away.

Gold said: “We will do everything in our power to keep Steve.

“He has been successful here and if he hadn’t, they would not be linking him to other jobs.

“There has been no approach from Newcastle whatsoever, it is purely speculation.

“We are growing, we have an ambitious board and fantastic support. It could be argued – why would you want to leave?”

Robson’s departure deflected attention from transfer deadline day with the Magpies expected to emerge empty-handed.

Their audacious bid for Wayne Rooney has come to nothing while an increasingly frantic search for a centre-half to replace Jonathan Woodgate was also set to fail.