Newcastle's board is believed to have drawn up a shortlist of four names for a manager to succeed Ruud Gullit, with Bobby Robson still the favourite. The directors let it be known again yesterday before the kick-off with Manchester United that they wished to use the next 11 days to search for a new manager.

However, as they watched the embarrassing defeat at Old Trafford a sense of urgency must have gripped them.

Any reservations about the 66-year-old Robson's age and health may well be overlooked as he represents the least risk, given that the other serious candidates are Glenn Hoddle, Terry Venables and Ray Harford. All three bring heavy baggage with them.

Of those mentioned previously, Joe Kinnear's heart problems are a concern and Howard Wilkinson is considered too dour. Martin O'Neill remains the wild card but a Newcastle spokesman said yesterday: "Unless Martin O'Neill turns up on our doorstep and starts banging on the door you can discount him after all the hassle Leeds United had when they tried to prise him from Leicester."

The spokesman reiterated that Robson has not yet been contacted, but there is a growing expectation on Tyneside that he will be installed at St James' Park this week.