NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Graeme Souness has been sacked and temporarily replaced by Glenn Roeder and skipper Alan Shearer.

Newcastle are only six points above the relegation zone after collecting just one point from their last six Premiership games.

A statement on the clubs website, nufc.co.uk, said: "Newcastle United today announced that the employment of Graeme Souness has been terminated with immediate effect.

"An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a new team manager."

Former West Ham boss Roeder, who had worked within Souness back-room staff, will be caretaker boss starting with the weekend visit of Portsmouth.

After the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last night, Souness admitted he was feeling the pressure.

Souness has been beset by injuries this season and having £17million summer signing Michael Owen sidelined has been a major blow in recent weeks as the goals he scored after his arrival had given the Magpies a boost.

Other high-profile signings were made during Souness' time on Tyneside but failed to have the desired effect.

Albert Luque was signed from Deportivo La Coruna for £9.5million and defender Jean-Alain Boumsong cost £8million last season, but both have so far flopped.

And, despite the arrivals of Owen, Emre and Scott Parker, Souness has failed to turn around Newcastle's fortunes.

Craig Bellamy went to Blackburn last season after a public row with the former Liverpool boss and winger Laurent Robert was also shown the door after falling out of favour under Souness.

Last season Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were involved in a confrontation on the pitch which also brought scandal to St James Park.

But ultimately results were Souness downfall with the Magpies languishing in 15th place, facing the prospect of a relegation scrap rather than securing the European place their expenditure demanded.