Dalglish seen as the obvious choice

KENNY DALGLISH, said to be the first name on Newcastle United's shortlist to replace Kevin Keegan as manager at St James' Park, has re-emerged as the most obvious candidate after Bobby Robson confirmed yesterday that he had turned down an offer from Newcastle.

"Right job, wrong time", said Rob son yesterday afternoon, yet last night Sir John Hall was said to be on his way to Barcelona to make a second approach to Robson. Hall, on holiday in Marbella, had not been part of the original Newcastle delegation that spent Thursday with Rob son in his villa outside Barcelona. Rob son admitted that the initial offer from Newcastle had been "a colossal temptation" and perhaps Hall felt that his reputation could clinch a deal.

Earlier Robson had said he had been "flattered and honoured" by the interest - "It's the one place in England where my heart is. But I had this contract and I think it's right that I stay here. Newcastle is a tremendous challenge, but it's a great opportunity for me here. Barcelona have not won anything for two years, and if I can do it this time, in my first year, it would be great."

The trio of Newcastle directors Freddie Fletcher, Freddie Shepherd and Hall's son, Douglas returned to Tyneside disappointed and despite Hall's alleged intervention, Newcastle may still not get their man if Barcelona insist Robson honours his contract.

Yesterday Robson was in talks with the Barcelona chairman Jose Luis Nunez, and it is fair to say they were probably discussing that very matter. Another man connected with the St James' Park vacancy, John Toshack, issued a statement similar in tone to Robson's.

"I'm flattered to be linked with Newcastle", said Toshack. "It is a great club with a great future. The fact remains, however, that unless things change, I have a contract until the end of this season and I'm sticking to it."

In fact the only man not heard from over the past few days, is Dalglish. There is nothing surprising in this in itself, but as he has let close friends know that he would be more than interested in hearing from Newcastle, it is peculiar that the directors went to see Rob son first.

Unless of course, Newcastle have already made contact with Dalglish, and there are continual claims and counter-claims that this is the case. What can be said, with certainty, though, is that if Dalglish were to become Keegan's successor he would be in with a tilt at becoming the first manager to win the League Championship with three different clubs.

History beckons the Scotsman, although it may take Newcastle the weekend to do so. Presented, with a state of such confusion, Terry McDermott has understandably adopted a pragmatic attitude. Addressing the press before the Newcastle squad boarded a bus bound for Villa Park, McDermott said of the managerial speculation: "I don't really have a view, that's down to the board.

"I was under no illusions when asked to take over on Tuesday - it could be for a week, it could be for a month, it could be until the end of the season. But whoever comes in, one thing they will inherit is a very good football team."

Should Newcastle beat Aston Villa today McDermott said the victory would be dedicated to Keegan. "Wherever he is in the world, I know he'll want us to win," said McDermott of Keegan, whom he last spoke to on Wednesday night.

"He was certainly in a relaxed mood, there was no animosity about the decision, he's not bitter in any way." Of Keegan's future, McDermott said: "I don't know what he'll do, but I don't think a person like him should be lost to football. He's got so much to offer. Football needs people like him, there is a lot of deceit in football and a lot of dishonesty - that's one thing he is not. He is as honest as the day is long and we need a lot more people like him."

The Newcastle board, however, may be discovering that finding someone similar will not be easy.