Five replacements for under pressure Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

Newcastle United slipped into the Premier League basement following a poor performance away at Southampton, and are now 9/2 chances with Coral for the drop.

Travelling Toon Army members were vocal in their displeasure, calling on much-maligned Magpies owner Mike Ashley to sack manager Alan Pardew.

Only Everton have conceded more goals than Newcastle, and the 4-0 loss at St Mary’s meant they drew a blank for the third time in four league outings this season.

It’s fair to say, then, Pardew is under pressure and that got our Coral football experts thinking about who could be lined up to replace him in the St James’ Park hotseat. We came up with five options Ashley could turn to.

David Moyes
Here, the Magpies would find a manager with something to prove. The Toon Army may not take kindly to someone rejected by Manchester United, but Moyes can point to a proven track record of establishing a side in the top half and securing regular European football.

That latter commodity is something a knowledgeable Geordie crowd craves, as continental competition means they can attract a certain calibre of player.

Moyes’ backroom team, based on previous choices, would have a familiar flavour for Newcastle fans too. Steve Round has assisted him since 2008, but prior to that worked under Sam Allardyce during his stint on Tyneside.

Steve Bruce
Former Sunderland and current Hull City boss Bruce grew up in Newcastle and supported them as a boy. Ashley would be getting a proven Premier League manager, who has also coached Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic in the top flight.

It would be something of a sentimental appointment, though Bruce’s spell on Wearside could be cause for resentment from more extreme sections of the Toon Army. Stability is something so seldom savoured by the Magpies, but this one man who could give this to them.

Bruce has played three at the back with the Tigers to great effect since taking over on Humberside in 2012. Promotion in his first season followed by a run to the FA Cup final last term is the kind of success his fellow Geordies desire.