MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 03:16:18| >> :120:35687:35687:

On this day in 2004: Graeme Souness appointed Newcastle manager

On this day in 2004: Graeme Souness appointed Newcastle manager
© Reuters
The Scot left his post at Blackburn in order to make the move to St James' Park.

Graeme Souness was the surprise replacement for Sir Bobby Robson as he was appointed Newcastle manager on this day in 2004.

The Scot quit his post at Blackburn in order to make the move to St James' Park – although he was put on gardening leave for a week as Rovers were, coincidentally, due to play his new club in their next match.

"I think I'm ready for a big challenge and they don't come much bigger than this," said Souness, who had previously won trophies with Rangers, Liverpool and Blackburn.

Graeme Souness celebrates with his Newcastle players
Souness got off to a good start at Newcastle but things quickly turned sour (Gareth Copley/PA)

"I don't need to be told by anyone that Newcastle are one of the best supported clubs around. Everything is geared to be successful and I hope I can bring success."

The club's 14th-place finish was their lowest since promotion in 1993 and despite making it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup Souness found himself under pressure at the start of his second season.

He was sacked in February 2006 with the club sliding towards relegation and that prompted a huge upturn in performances, with replacement Glenn Roeder guiding them to seventh.

ID:462449:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2902:
Written by
P A
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Nathan Ake in action with Marseille's Boubacar Kamara in the Champions League on December 9, 2020
Read Next:
Wolves 'in talks with Marseille over Boubacar Kamara deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!