Newcastle United Managers
Since 1955 Magpies have had Eighteen Managers Searching for Success
Newcastle United,a club without a domestic trophy since 1955,search for a manager to succeeed where the previous eighteen,including the sacked Sam Allardyce,have failed.
Newcastle United, a club who last won a domestic trophy in 1955 and whose last success was winning the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 are again looking for a manager to bring them the success they crave. In their search for a new manager, the directors and fans might reflect that eighteen managers have failed to win a domestic trophy
Newcastle Win FA Cup in 1955
In 1955 the Magpies won the FA Cup with Doug Livingstone as manager in his first year in charge. However, the Directors who along with Stan Seymour had had control over team affairs since before the 2nd World War still wanted to have their say and Livingstone only remained as manager for another year.
Directors' Interference
A directors’ Committee again took control but in 1958 Charlie Mitten became the new manager and he remained there for three years but struggled to overcome the continuing interference from the Directors. He was replaced in October, 1961 when the team failed to produce the expected results having been relegated from the ‘old’ 1st Division the previous summer.
Norman Smith, a long time servant of the club and formerly Seymour’s assistant took over until the end of that season.
Joe Harvey - longest serving Manager
In June, 1962 Joe Harvey became Newcastle United’s manager and was to become the longest serving manager in the history of the club. He held the post for thirteen years bringing the club from the 2nd Division as champions in 1964-65 and taking them to European success at the end of the decade.
Harvey had been captain of Newcastle’s successful team in the early 1950s and was highly respected at the club and throughout football. He turned the club around signing high profile players like Wyn Davies and Malcolm MacDonald and his team reached the FA Cup Final in 1974 but didn’t perform on the day, losing 3-0 to Liverpool. He left in 1975 having given the club almost forty years service as player and manager.
Gordon Lee was Harvey’s successor but he only survived thirty months. He sold fans’ hero MacDonald to Arsenal much to their annoyance and was replaced in January, 1977.
Richard Dinnis, a former school teacher and Lee’s assistant took over but was sacked the following November as the side fought against relegation.
The experienced Bill McGarry was next in line. A strict disciplinarian he failed to avoid relegation and was unable to lift the club from the 2nd Division and left in the summer of 1980.
Arthur Cox Signs Keegan
Arthur Cox became manager in 1980 and brought Kevin Keegan to Newcastle in 1982 which completely revitalised the club. Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle brought the club promotion as Champions in 1984 but sensationally Cox resigned that summer over a disagreement about his contract.
Future Managers:
Jack Charlton to August, 1985
Willie McFaul to October, 1988
Jim Smith to March, 1991 – relegated in 1988 - 89
Ossie Ardiles to February, 1992
Keegan Revitalised Newcastle United
Kevin Keegan to January, 1997 – appointed with the team struggling to avoid relegation from the 2nd Division, Keegan restored the club to the top flight the following year as Champions. Newcastle United under Keegan were transformed, never finishing out of the top six in the Premier League and were runners-up in1995 - 96. He also brought Alan Shearer to the club.
Kenny Dalglish to August, 1998 – Keegan resigned mid-season but the club still finished second in the league.
Ruud Gullit to August, 1999
Sir Bobby Robson
Sir Bobby Robson to August, 2004 – his team continued to impress in League, Cup and European competitions without actually winning any trophies.
Graeme Souness to February, 2006
Glenn Roeder to May, 2007
Sam Allardyce to January, 2008 - the club’s shortest serving manager was sacked over his style of play which was not to the liking of players, fans and directors.
