Graeme Souness has admitted he is wary of a return to management almost 17 years after his Newcastle United exit. Freddy Shepherd replaced Sir Bobby Robson with the Liverpool legend in September 2004 due to a successful four-year reign at Blackburn Rovers.
The 69-year-old had emerged as a promising manager, with spells at Liverpool, Rangers, Benfica and Galatasaray, alongside his Rovers stint, giving Souness a commendable CV to go with an established playing career. However, to say his 18-month spell in the North East did not go to plan would be an understatement.
Reports of internal conflict were rife throughout Souness’ time at St James’ Park. Those off-field frustrations erupted publicly in April 2005 when Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer had a scrap during a 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
