New Newcastle coach Sam Allardyce. - Reuters

LONDON (Reuters):

SAM ALLARDYCE became Newcastle United's fourth manager in three years yesterday when the club confirmed him as Glenn Roeder's replacement.

The 52-year-old, who resigned as Bolton Wanderers manager with two games of the season remaining, signed a three-year deal, the club said in a statement to the London stock exchange.

Allardyce arrived at St. James' Park by helicopter for talks with club chairman Freddy Shepherd and was formally introduced at a news conference at noon.

Since the departure of Roeder, who had been in charge for just one year, Allardyce had been the hot favourite to take one of the most demanding jobs in English football.

"After leaving Bolton last week, I was expecting a longer rest but once Freddy opened that door I was in," Allardyce, a contender for the England coaching job last year, told Newcastle's website.

"When I met Freddy I could feel his passion for Newcastle United. He is a passionate supporter and it's well known throughout football that he has always supported his managers.

"I suppose this is the greatest challenge I've ever had."

Despite a massive fan base, Newcastle have been chronic under-achievers and last won a major domestic trophy in 1955 when they lifted the FA Cup.

13th position

They have fallen way behind the leading clubs in the Premier League in recent seasons and finished the last campaign in 13th position with 43 points, just five above the relegated three.

"It's no secret that what has happened in the past is not good enough for a club as big as Newcastle and it is now my job to change all that," added Allardyce.

Allardyce, a rugged defender in his playing career, took over at Bolton in 1999 and steered them into the Premier League via the play-offs in his second season in charge.

He established them as major force in the top flight and in the last four seasons Bolton finished eighth, sixth, eighth and seventh respectively, qualifying for the UEFA Cup twice.

The one blot on Allardyce's record was a BBC Panorama programme last year accusing him of receiving illegal payments from agents in the transfer of players.

Allardyce strongly denied the accusation and warned of possible legal action against the BBC.