By DPA
London : Glenn Roeder resigned as manager of Newcastle United after being called to an emergency board meeting, fuelling speculation that the former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce could be installed as his successor.
Allardyce resigned last Sunday after eight years as manager of Bolton, leading to immediate rumours that he could take over at either Manchester City or Newcastle.
Roeder, who resigned Sunday, replaced Graeme Souness as manager in February 2006, presided over 73 games, winning 33 and losing 24.
Dissatisfaction has been mounting this season, though, as they drifted around lower mid-table, and slipped tamely out of the UEFA Cup to AZ Alkmaar at the quarterfinal stage.
They have won just one of their last nine games, and, after a 2-0 defeat to Blackburn on Saturday extended their run without a home goal to six games, fans demonstrated against the club's board.
The success of neighbours and rivals Sunderland, who have improved dramatically under the management of Roy Keane and sealed the Championship title Sunday with a 5-0 win at Luton, has heightened the pressure.