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After their sixth defeat in a row in what has been a torturous season, the Newcastle United fans turned on their manager Alan Pardew in the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on Monday night.
Pardew admitted that the pressure is growing on him after yet another defeat. It is the first time in 27 years that Newcastle have lost six consecutive top-flight league matches.
Pardew had only returned to the touchline for the first time after a seven-match ban, leaving him in no doubt as to the fan's feelings.
Defeat at home to Cardiff City on Saturday could spell the end for Pardew, as his club fight to secure a top ten finish.
"We've got to finish in the top 10," he said. "If Cardiff think it's important [to win on Saturday], it's important for us to finish in the top 10, believe me."
So who could Mike Ashley replace Pardew with should he get the sack? Check out our gallery of the runners and riders below...
Show all 11 1 /11Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? David Moyes The recently disposed Manchester United manager will be keen to return to management to prove that his spell at Old Trafford wasn’t a turning point in his career. Having impressed during his 11 years with Everton, Moyes suffered a dismal time in charge of United, culminating in his sacking last Tuesday. Having already shown a talent to work under a tight budget, Mike Ashley could offer Moyes a way back into the Premier League
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Steve Bruce Bruce has drawn plaudits for the way he has led Hull City in their first season back in the Premier League, with an FA Cup final still to come after a successful cup run. His performance this year has even led to Arsene Wenger, the man he will go up against at Wembley when Hull take on Arsenal, claiming he should be considered for the manager of the year award. Talk of a dearth of English managerial talent could be laid to rest if Bruce wins the prestigious trophy, and a call from Tyneside could follow soon after
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Tony Pulis Pulis’ resurrection of Crystal Palace has been nothing short of magical, with the Eagles appearing to be doomed when Ian Holloway left the club. The former Stoke manager has installed a calm and controlled style of play that has his players full of belief – exactly what Newcastle lack right now under Pardew, and Pulis’ credentials over the past few months have certainly improved which could lead to interest from those clubs (not much) higher up the league
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Malky Mackay The discarded Cardiff manager has been unable to assume a new job while his legal dispute with his former club goes on, but a number of sides are said to be interested in Mackay’s services when he becomes available. While he remains the favourite to take over at his former club Norwich, he could yet find himself at St James’ Park, although the accusations from the Welsh capital of overspending in the transfer window won’t suit Magpies’ owner Ashley
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Michael Laudrup Laudrup has remained quiet since Swansea chose to make do with his services in favour of Garry Monk back in February, but the Dane has been linked with a move to St James’ Park and he may favour a return to managing in England
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Lee Clark The former Newcastle great is currently struggling to keep Birmingham afloat in the Championship, with the Blues requiring four points from their final two matches to ensure they beat Doncaster in the battle for survival. Relegation to League One wouldn’t do his application any good at all, but a reluctance of other managers to take the post could see a return to St James’ Park for the former midfielder
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Roberto Di Matteo Di Matteo is another who has stayed out of the managerial game since his dismissal by Chelsea, in 2012, but despite being constantly linked with a return with a number of clubs, has refrained from rushing any decision. That’s hardly surprising, as the Italian is one of few managers available with a Champions League winners’ medal among his collection
Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Glenn Hoddle Hoddle has turned his hand to TV punditry, although this has provided him with the platform to push his suitability for a return to former club Tottenham. It is clear that Hoddle is ready for a return to management, but whether that is with Newcastle is unknown. An approach is likely to be listened to by Hoddle, but it’s been 11 years since the former England manager last held a role in the Premier League
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Joe Kinnear Never far from being linked with a Newcastle return, Kinnear can’t be ruled out when it comes to Mike Ashley. The 67-year-old left his previous role as Newcastle manager in 2009 due to a health scare, but made a stunning return last year as the club’s director of football to deal with the club’s transfer activity. Two transfer windows, two loan signings and no permanent signings later, Kinnear left the club for a second time earlier this year
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Neil Lennon The Celtic manager would be an unlikely candidate for the Magpies role, but the chance to test himself in the Premier League would surely appeal to the Northern Irishman after winning everything that Scottish football has to offer. A chance of scenery could also suit Lennon given the intense pressure of managing Celtic – although the winning part isn’t the hardest job in the world – but he would be giving up near-on guaranteed Champions league football for a run at Europa League qualification
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Who could replace Alan Pardew if the Newcastle manager is sacked? Tim Sherwood The former Watford, Norwich, Blackburn, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Coventry midfielder looks set to be out of t a job in the summer should Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy wield the expected axe at White Hart Lane. A number of clubs in the Premier League have been linked with offering Sherwood a chance to continue his managerial career in the Premier League, and a no-nonsense approach to the Newcastle squad could be exactly what the doctor ordered on Tyneside
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Of the fans at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, Pardew said: "They're frustrated. We had 2,000 here tonight making this long, long trip. Although we're playing a good team, they expect us to win. They've seen us lose again and they're not happy, and I have to respect that. But all I can do in this job is do it to the best of my ability."
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