In a move that was widely considered as jumping before he was pushed, Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder resigned this weekend following their last home game of the season, which ended in another defeat amidst all too familiar boos at the final whistle.

The pressure had been on Roeder for some time, with Newcastle again under-achieving this season after a bright finish to last season under Roeder (as caretaker manager), which saw them qualify for the UEFA Cup.

It has been another frustrating campaign for the Geordies, whose side has talent within it but seems incapable of mounting a serious challenge in the league and they are now left in the familiar position of having to find another new manager.

So, is it step forward Sam Allardyce? Of course he is now without a club following his decision to leave Bolton and his profile is high enough to have seen him linked already with a possible move to Manchester City.

Allardyce has of course turned Newcastle down before (prior to Graeme Sounness taking over) and there is a school of thought that this may preclude him from consideration, although betting on him taking the position has now been suspended.

It is clear Allardyce wants a big job and was desperate to land the England job that went to Steve McLaren. It is equally clear that the 'big four' jobs are off the radar at the moment, so the decision may come down to whether or not he believes he can take a under-achieving Newcastle side and lead them to the top-four.

It may be a challenge he will find difficult to turn down.