A FLURRY of dosh on the betting exchanges late Sunday and early Monday gave the clearest indication yet that Graeme Souness was the man Newcastle United finally selected as the manager to succeed the sacked Sir Bobby Robson writes Chris Sudlow

Blackburn Rovers manager Souness was backed down from 33-1 overnight to odds on before he told players at their Monday morning training session that he was leaving for the North-east.

This is how the official Blackburn Rovers website revealed the news later the same morning:

"Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that they received an approach from Newcastle United yesterday asking for permission to approach Graeme Souness to be the new manager at St James Park.

Following a meeting with Ewood Park Chief Executive John Williams, Graeme indicated that he was very interested in the position.

Accepting the practicalities of that situation, the club reluctantly gave approval for Graeme to speak to Newcastle.

Rovers can now confirm that a satisfactory level of compensation has been reached and Graeme is today leaving Ewood Park to take up the position as manager of Newcastle United Football Club, effective from Monday 13 September.

Mr Williams said: "My reading of the situation is quite clear. Graeme is very reluctant to leave a job he considers one of the best in the business, but he views Newcastle as a massive opportunity and one he cannot resist. We wish him well for the future and thank him for four successful years.

"But now is the time to look forward and we need to focus all our energies on finding Graeme's successor. We have an excellent squad of players and have a lot to offer the new manager, not least a financially stable club, and we expect considerable interest in the position.

"It is time to move on, we know what we are looking for and anticipate a very strong list of applicants."