Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who sold the club to Mike Ashley last year, insists that being a manager at Tyneside is one of the toughest jobs in English football.

The club is in disarray after manager Kevin Keegan resigned during the week due to differences with the board over transfer policies.

The Magpie faithful are angered at the situation their club is in and they are directing some of their displeasure at owner Mike Ashley.

Shepherd told the Sunday Mirror: "There is absolutely no doubt about it, the job of managing Newcastle United has become one of the most challenging in English football.

"There is a unique sort of pressure on Tyneside, a weight of expectation and a fevered intensity that I don't think you get in other parts of the country.

"Now Mike Ashley is discovering what I learned a long time ago - the easy part of owning Newcastle is buying the club.

"All the ingredients appear to be there, but getting them to blend together has proved tantalisingly elusive."