NEWCASTLE United fans are disappointed at Souness' pending arrival on Tyneside.

His name hadn't even been linked to the vacant manager's post at St James' Park.

Former Rovers striker Alan Shearer and Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce had been favourites.

And Newcastle had indicated they wanted their next manager to be a Geordie.

Mark Jenson, editor of Newcastle fanzine The Mag, said: "I'm a bit gutted to be honest.

"Newcastle are full of surprises and I think choosing Souness is the latest in a long line of shocks to come out of the club.

"He wouldn't have been my first choice, but when you get rid of your manager early in the season you're never going to get the best list of candidates.

"My preference would always have been for Shearer, or Shearer alongside someone else.

"But I can't see Souness being the kind of manager who's going to want to share his role with anyone else.

"And I also can't see him being the right manager to steer Newcastle into a bright future but if we keep our fingers crossed we can hope."

Fans hope Souness will sort out the club's troubled dressing room. Several players have spoken out in recently weeks, not least Kieron Dyer, who refused to play out of position in the opening game of the season

Mark added: "Souness is clearly a fiery man, though, and having someone of his ilk could be useful in sorting out the likes of Dyer."