Many managers have tried – and failed – to bring silverware back to St James’s Park as they bidded to become the first to do since Joe Harvey in 1969.
But not all success as Magpies boss is defined by trophies, well, at least not under Mike Ashley’s regime anyway.
Here, we’ve worked out the club’s best and worst managers over the last 30 years – ranking them in order of win percentage.
Included are permanent managers only, with the exception of Alan Shearer and John Carver’s interim spells.
A message from the Football Clubs Editor
Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.
This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.
Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor
5. Steve McClaren - 22.6%
McClaren oversaw one of United’s highest spending summer and January transfer windows under Ashley but that didn’t translate onto the field. McClaren, who won just seven of his 31 games, essentially sealed another relegation with Rafa Benitez unable to save the sinking ship. Photo: Ian MacNicol
6. Steve Bruce - 30.1%
Ashley paid compensation to Sheff Wed to appoint Bruce against the fans’ wishes. The 60-year-old, who has won 28 of his 93 games, has sealed a 13th and 12th place finish in his opening two seasons but his win percentage is worryingly low, hence why he remains so unpopular among fans. Photo: George Wood
7. Kevin Keegan - 31.9% (2nd spell)
It was all smiles when Keegan returned to St James’s Park but things swiftly turned sour, the start of Ashley’s downfall really, with major disruption at boardroom level and on the recruitment front with the likes of Tony Jiminez and Dennis Wise. Photo: GLYN KIRK
8. Sam Allardyce - 33.3%
Allardyce was appointed by Freddie Shepherd but sacked by Ashley. Out of his 24 games in charge, the future England manager won eight, drew six and lost 10. His dismissal came in an era when the ambition was more than just surviving in the Premier League. Photo: PAUL ELLIS