Newcastle United news: Graeme Souness aims dig at Magpies as Lee Bowyer closes in on Championship job

Here are the latest headlines to come out of St James’s Park today:

Graeme Souness: Newcastle United is a graveyard for managers

Former Toon boss Graeme Souness says Newcastle is a “graveyard for managers” following increased pressure on Steve Bruce.

The Liverpool legend succeeded Sir Bobby Robson at St James’s Park in 2004 but was sacked after an unsuccessful 18 months.

In light of fans demanding Bruce, who has won just two of his last 19 games, is relieved of his duties, Souness has warned against future managers accepting the job.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "People go there thinking, ‘I’ll be the one who brings the good days back.’ But it isn’t as simple as that.

“Newcastle has been a graveyard for managers for years.

“I remember my first game there was against Blackburn. I went into hospitality before the match and saw the chairman’s wife. She said, ‘So you’re the new lion-tamer', and she pointed at the crowd.

“They are wild and they demand success.”

The Magpies remain just two points above Fulham, who occupy the final relegation spot.

Lee Bowyer resigns as Charlton Athletic manager

Lee Bowyer has left his managerial role at League One side Charlton Athletic, with reports suggesting he is close to joining Birmingham City.

The Blues are expected to confirm the departure of former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka – and Bowyer is in line to replace him.

Bowyer, 44, will be tasked with keeping Birmingham in the Championship. They sit just three points above the drop zone and the team below them, Rotherham United, have four games in-hand.

Indeed, the former Newcastle midfielder called time on a turbulent three years at The Valley, which included promotion to the Championship and relegation back to League One.

Following his departure, Bowyer said: “It was a difficult decision to leave. Everyone knows how I feel about the club.

“I could have gone before but I felt it was the right thing to do to stay and help the club through the tough times we’ve been through.

“We had some amazing times and some tough times. It has been emotional leaving. I’d like to thank all the players that I’ve worked with and the staff for the hours and hours of hard work that they did. I also want to thank the supporters. We wouldn’t have had those great memories without them.

“The club is now in a place with a good owner that cares and wants to improve the place and I hope the club can continue to grow. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Atsu on target for under-23s against Leeds United

Christian Atsu was on the scoresheet for the Magpies under-23s during their 2-1 defeat at Leeds United.

The Ghanaian, who was re-added to Steve Bruce’s 25-man Premier League squad in January, featured in starting XI including Henri Saivet and Elliot Anderson.

Leeds themselves fielded a number of first-team players with Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi forming a very experienced centre-back partnership.