In January 1997, Kenny Dalglish, not for the first time, replaced Kevin Keegan.
Twenty years earlier, Dalglish was the player signed by Liverpool to succeed Hamburg-bound Keegan as the club's leading centre-forward. It would prove to be the smoothest of transitions.
However, the same cannot be said of when the Scot took over from Keegan as manager of Newcastle United. He inherited an entertaining side that had finished runners-up to Manchester United during the 1995-96 season - a feat that the Magpies would match during Dalglish's first five months at the helm.
Slowly, though, he started to dismantle the team that had come so close to glory. Fan favourites like Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Lee Clark were moved on, with veterans John Barnes, Stuart Pearce and Ian Rush recruited as replacements.
The result was a 1997-98 campaign of struggle, which at one point had Newcastle looking like genuine relegation candidates. They would eventually finish in 13th, but only four points above the drop zone and despite the fact that they reached the FA Cup final, where they were beaten comfortably by Arsenal, it was regarded as one of Newcastle's most disappointing terms in a long time.
As such, Dalglish needed his players to hit the ground running at the start of the next season. Yet, following draws from the opening two fixtures against newly-promoted Charlton Athletic and Chelsea, chairman Freddy Shepherd's patience had run out. It meant that 16 years ago today, Dalglish was sacked after 18 months in charge.
Speaking about Dalglish's tenure, former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla recently told the local press: "When Kenny Daglish arrived at Newcastle I had heard so many good things about him and I could not wait to play for him.
"Anyone who achieves so much as a player like he did you would naturally expect him to do well as a manager This was not the case. Within months he had the team playing a style that was alien to most of us and he started to sell some of our star players.
"The stars like Ginola, Ferdinand and Beardsley were moved on. It was a team that could have gone on to win the league, having come so close in 1996, but instead we were broken up and the dream faded. I was sad to see Dalglish destroy the team. I found myself out of the side and on the bench. I did not feel that this was fair and knew that given the chance I could turn around our average season.
"I did not complain, I just did my training and waited for my chances, but they were few and far between. My departure was a sad day for me and I wish things could have been different. I have no malice towards Kenny, but with hindsight I think the club and the fans realise now that he was not the right man for the job."
Dalglish was promptly replaced by Ruud Gullit, who didn't fare much better on Tyneside, where his spell included a memorable dispute with club legend Alan Shearer.
Liam Apicella
