Bobby Robson's five-year reign as Newcastle United manager has ended after he
paid the price for his side's poor start to the season and growing dressing room
unrest.
Newcastle sacked the 71-year-old former England manager after Saturday's 4-2
defeat at Aston Villa left them 16th in the Premier League standings without a
win from four games.
"After a disappointing start to the Premier League
season, the directors of Newcastle United have informed Sir Bobby Robson they
have decided that he is to be replaced as team manager," a club statement said
on Monday.
"There is no hesitation by the club in recording its sincere appreciation for
the way in which Sir Bobby has handled team affairs during that five-year spell
which has seen a significant turnaround in the club's fortunes," said the
statement on Newcastle's official website.
Newcastle's defeat at Villa Park, for which talismanic captain Alan Shearer
was dropped to the bench, continued an eventful start to the season at St James'
Park.
England defender Jonathan Woodgate was sold to Real Madrid, England
midfielder Kieron Dyer refused to play for Newcastle in certain positions and
Wales striker Craig Bellamy threatened to leave if the club signed Wayne Rooney.
"I am massively disappointed not to be able to finish the job I came here to
do," Robson said in a statement.
"I have immensely enjoyed my time here as manager and I wish the club all the
best of success in the future.
"At the present moment I have absolutely nothing to say except to thank the
Geordie fans for their tremendous enthusiasm, loyalty and support," Robson
added.
Shearer favourite
Shearer, in his last season as a player and who has been working towards UEFA
coaching qualifications, is favourite to succeed Robson, with former Newcastle
and England players Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne among those to push his
claims.
"Shearer will be in charge for the next game," Waddle told BBC radio.
Robson, who staved off the threat of relegation after succeeding Ruud Gullit
in September 1999, was taken aback by the club's announcement in July that his
services would not be retained beyond the end of this season.
"The club agreed to extend Sir Bobby's contract by one further season," the
statement said.
"However, after careful consideration, the club decided it was in the best
interests of all concerned to re-visit that decision."
Crucially, Robson failed to deliver a major title to the club he supported as
a boy whose cupboard has been bare since they won the old European Fairs Cup in
1969. They last won the league championship in 1927 and FA Cup in 1955.
Robson, knighted in 2002 for his services to football, began his managerial
career at Fulham 36 years ago.
He has also managed Ipswich Town, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and
Barcelona as well as the England side from 1982 to 1990, when he steered them to
the semi-finals in Italy.
Robson has indicated he will seek further employment.
"I'm not going into this season thinking that it will be my last as a
football manager," Robson said recently.
"My heart, my head and my legs are fine. I like what I'm doing and I feel
very fit. I'm not thinking about retiring. No way. As long as I can do this job
then I'll do it."
Robson became the second managerial casualty in the Premier League in just
over two weeks of the new season following Paul Sturrock's departure from
Southampton.