Harry Redknapp may have ruled himself out of the vacant Newcastle United managerÂ’s job, but speculation continues to surround the position.
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is the new bookies' favourite, despite insisting he's happy at Ewood Park, while former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has the support of the fans.
Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, secure in his post at Old Trafford, is convinced NewcastleÂ’s top job is one of the toughest around.
“I would say Newcastle are the most difficult club to manage in the game, gobbling up managers and spitting them out again with hardly a pause," he told United Review.
“Their list of sacked bosses reads like a who’s who of football with some of the greatest players taking up the challenge, though not for very long.”
ItÂ’s the demand for instant success that seems to rankle Sir Alex most.
“Top-class players like Jack Charlton, Ossie Ardiles, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness have all been and gone.
“Surely one of that distinguished band of legends would have been successful if the directors, supporters and media had shown a little more patience and given the guys in the hot seat time to plan and build.
“Sam Allardyce had the job for only eight months after success at Bolton and being tipped as the next England manager! If they regarded their managers as something more than ships passing in the night they might achieve the stability and consistency that is the basis of success at any club.”