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.
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9. Ruud Gullit - 34.6%
Gullit led Newcastle into the 1999 FA Cup final during his first season in charge but was sacked just five games into his second, famously leaving Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson on the bench as the club lost 2-1 to bitter rivals Sunderland at St James’s Park. Photo: JUSTIN BOND
10. Jim Smith - 36.4%
The late Smith, nicknamed the ‘Bald Eagle’, was in charge of Newcastle between 1988 and 1991 - where he almost guided the club back to the top-flight. He managed 121 games, winning 44, drawing 38 and losing 39. Photo: Stephen Munday
11. Alan Pardew 38.4%
Pardew secured a fifth-place finish in 2011/12 - the club’s highest under Ashley - and was incredibly rewarded with an eight-year contract. Suffice to say, the now CSKA Sofia adviser didn’t see it out and left for Crystal Palace in December 2014. Photo: Shaun Botterill
12. Kenny Dalglish - 38.5%
Dalglish succeeded Kevin Keegan as boss, and while it started well, it ended horrifically with the former Liverpool man accused of breaking up the Entertainers side, offloading popular players and replacing them with ageing ones. Under Dalglish, Newcastle finished as low as 13th. Photo: Stu Forster