The thrills and spills of the Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson eras had promised much, but ultimately failed to deliver tangible success, while Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder, to a lesser or greater extent, were also unable to meet the club's expectations.

Perhaps significantly, both Keegan and Robson were given five years in which to implement their plans, and came mightily close with the former only just missing out on the Premier League title and the latter fourth, third and fifth in successive years as well as semi-final appearances in both the FA and UEFA Cups.

But having seen many millions of pounds ploughed into a dream which was continually shattered, then Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd decided the time was right for fundamental change.

Allardyce's no-nonsense approach seemed to make him the perfect man to walk into a dressing room packed with high-earning superstars and take it by the scruff of the neck.

The Dudley-born central defender made his name as a player with Bolton, where he had two spells either side of moves to Sunderland, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Coventry and Huddersfield.

He launched his coaching career at West Brom, whom he joined as player-coach in 1989, and had spells on the staff at Preston and Sunderland.

But it was at Irish club Limerick where he first stepped into the manager's role, paving the way for roles at Blackpool and Notts County before he got got his hands on Bolton in October 1999.

Wanderers' rise to the Premier League and subsequent consolidation established Allardyce's reputation among a new generation of bosses, with his attention to detail and scientific approach impressing observers.

Bolton finished eighth, sixth, eighth and seventh in his last four seasons at the Reebok Stadium and he was a serious candidate for the England job following Sven-Goran Eriksson's departure after the 2006 World Cup finals, although was pipped at the post by Steve McClaren.

His consolation was to arrive last summer when, after handing over the reins at Bolton to number two Sammy Lee, the big job he was hoping might come his way did when Glenn Roeder was relieved of his duties on Tyneside.

Asked as he was unveiled if that made up for his England disappointment, Allardyce said: "Yes, absolutely, yes.

"I am looking forward to working and having the sort of resources I have never had before.

"I am looking forward to trying to invest those resources in the best possible players we can find to make sure we can compete at the highest level against the sides in the Premiership, and ultimately to try to break into the big four.

"This club is capable of doing that - that is why I am here."

But within days, owner Mike Ashley had launched the £134.4million takeover which was eventually to end Shepherd's tenure, and while the new regime publicly backed the incumbent manager, he could never escape the fact that they had not appointed him.

It did not take long for the pressure to be applied as a side bolstered by nine summer signings struggled either to inspire or get results, and as the pressure mounted, Allardyce found himself repeatedly stressing the need for patience.

Just last week as he prepared for what was seen by many as a make-or-break FA Cup trip to Coca-Cola Championship Stoke, he said: "Sir Bobby Robson, who had a fantastic time here, he found he had to have time.

"It took him a couple of years before he got the club to where they wanted to be.

"In the first two years, he finished around 11th in the Premier League and then went on and did it from there.

"At Bolton when I was there, it was a two-year mighty struggle for us to stay in the Premier League, and then from there on, we finished eighth, sixth, eighth and seventh.

"I have got to get the time to build the club and having only been here seven months, I find some of the stuff that's talked about is pretty off-putting to say the very least."

Allardyce did not, in the event, foresee his own end and in the final reckoning, was given less time than either Gullit or Souness, whose spells in charge are remembered with a shudder on Tyneside.

And so the search for the saviour continues with thousands ready to help Alan Shearer on to his white charger, as the man who willingly took on one of football's toughest jobs starts looking for another.