JOHN Carver bid an emotional farewell to St James' Park on Saturday night, but insisted: "One day I'll be back to manage Newcastle United."

Carver took caretaker charge of the Magpies as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers but, less than 24 hours later, Sir Bobby Robson's number two was told that his services were no longer required by new boss Graeme Souness.

David Geddis and Kenny Wharton have also had their contracts terminated as Souness clears the decks for his own backroom staff, although reserve-team manager Tommy Craig has survived the St James' Park cull.

Carver's fate was no great secret but, following Saturday's success, the passionate Geordie can at least boast a 100 per cent managerial record at the club he has supported since childhood.

His name is sure to be in the frame the next time a lower league vacancy comes up and, while he accepts he needs time to develop as a manger, he has not ruled out making a glorious return to Tyneside in the future.

"I was asked the question three or four weeks ago 'Do you think you'll ever be manager of Newcastle United'," said Carver, in the wake of Saturday's victory.

"I said 'Who knows'. I want to be, but I might have to go away from here and learn my trade to come back again.

"Realistically, I'm on a hiding to nothing because I wasn't a top player, I had to finish my playing career early because of a bad injury.

"I've worked at every level of the football club, but I haven't been a top player. What I have got though, is 300 Premier League games under my belt and 40-odd European games under my belt.

"So I take away the question 'What's my next move'? I don't know, but I know I want to be a manager."

Carver asked his players to give Robson the best possible send off and, after watching his side record their first win of the season, he dedicated the success to the club's former boss.

"That performance was for Sir Bobby because it's his team," he said. "The new guy's coming in and I wish him every success in the world, but lets not forget the guy who's just left him with these players.

"They are good players and it is a good squad. It's the best group of players I've worked with, and I've been here a long time.

"People have been saying that there's trouble in the dressing room.

"Trust me, there's no trouble in the dressing room and they're a great bunch of players. They've just got to start performing on a consistent basis."

Trouble or no trouble, things are likely to change under Souness and the new United boss has wasted no time in setting the parameters of his new regime.

Newcastle's players were in training yesterday, and Souness will make Sunday sessions the norm as he looks to get the season back on track.

The Scotsman has also told his squad that he will accept no excuses for poor punctuality. The gates to the training ground will be locked one minute after training is due to start, and any player arriving late will be heavily fined.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.