Allardyce gets the chop

Sam Allardyce today became the eighth manager to leave a Premiership club as he departed his Newcastle job "by mutual consent". Allardyce's position had seemed to have been in jeapordy since day one, and Alan Shearer has already become the bookies' favorite to take the role.

Newcastle currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, which gave Allardyce only 24 games in charge at the club and adds his name to the seemingly endless list of former Newcastle managers.

Alan Shearer appears to be in pole position to take the permanent role at the helm of Newcastle.

Nigel Pearson, the first team coach, will take charge of the upcoming Premier League game on Saturday with Manchester United.

The 0-0 draw in the FA Cup with Stoke seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back and so sees the end of Allardyce's reign.