NEWCASTLE'S search for a new manager suffered a major blow last night when the Premier League rejected their attempt to install Glenn Roeder, insisting the current caretaker did not possess the coaching qualifications needed to continue in the post.

But the Magpies will make one final attempt to secure the dispensation needed for Roeder to succeed Graeme Souness on a permanent basis when the Premier League chairmen meet for their AGM at the end of this month.

If enough member clubs can be persuaded to support the former West Ham manager's appointment, he will be allowed to take charge of Newcastle next season.

"The Premier League board have considered Newcastle United's inquiry regarding the potential appointment of Glenn Roeder as their manager," said a Premier League spokesman.

"Premier League rules require that managers hold the UEFA Pro Licence and do not provide for any dispensation.

"The only way the board would be prepared to allow Newcastle United to appoint Glenn Roeder as manager without the 'Pro Licence' is if so directed by member clubs.

"In the event of permission being sought sufficient support from clubs would have to be obtained and a formal resolution tabled at the forthcoming Premier League AGM."

The Premier League are understood to have received a letter on Wednesday afternoon outlining Newcastle's desire to install Roeder on a permanent basis.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd was keen to appoint the former centre-half before the end of the season, despite the absence of the qualification that is a pre-requisite for all new top-flight managers.

The Magpies sought special dispensation to allow Roeder to take charge of first-team affairs while he completes the 12-month course needed to convert his current 'A Licence' into European football's highest qualification.

That has been ruled out without the tabling of an official motion at the Premier League AGM and League Managers Association chairman Howard Wilkinson, who led Newcastle's North-East neighbours Sunderland for five ill-fated months in the 2002-03 season, has called on Premier League leaders to give their application short shrift.

"It's not a matter of principle, it's a matter of law," said Wilkinson. "The League Managers Association were asked by the Football Association and the Premier League to support mandatory coaching qualifications.

"It's not just a Premier League rule - it's a criteria of UEFA. As far as the LMA are concerned, it's not about individual cases, it's a matter of if you have rules, you have to uphold those rules. That is what we expect the Premier League to do.

"Let's not play with words. Whoever is named as manager has to pick the team. This is not anything personal against one individual - these are the rules and that is the bottom line."

The Premier League have already bent their rules once, to allow Steve Wigley to take charge of Southampton in August 2004.

They were roundly criticised on that occasion, and Wilkinson feels the negative response will make their representatives reluctant to move the goalposts again.

"They recognise they made a mistake with Southampton and the appointment of Steve Wigley," he said. "They ended up with egg on their faces then and they will not want a repeat of that."

While Wilkinson admits to feeling sorry for Roeder - a manager who would have completed his Pro Licence had he not been struck down by a brain tumour while in charge of West Ham - he had no such sympathy for the Newcastle board.

The Magpies have been aware of the rules and regulations from the moment they appointed Roeder on a caretaker basis in February and the current impasse is largely a problem of their own making.

"There are always mitigating circumstances but, with great respect to the football club (Newcastle), they should maybe have given a bit more thought and preparation to the situation," added Wilkinson.

"They have known the rules for some time and they knew the rules before they sacked Graeme Souness four months ago. You would have thought they would have people in place to replace him who have the required qualifications."

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