Fans gave Graeme Souness a cautious welcome as he sensationally quit his position at Blackburn Rovers to replace sacked Bobby Robson at Newcastle United.

Following a flurry of bets being laid on the former Scotland midfielder on Monday morning, Souness has told his Rovers squad that he is leaving the club to move to Tyneside.

Souness took charge at Ewood Park in March 2000, having previously managed Liverpool, Southampton, Galatasaray and Rangers.

He guided Rovers back into the Premiership in his first full season in charge of the Lancashire club and has helped establish them in the top flight.

But initial reaction to the news from fans outside St James's Park has been mixed with some fans welcoming the news another top flight manager is to lead the Magpies and others worrying Souness may not be up to the job.

Newcastle fan Bill Irvine who has been supporting Newcastle since he was a little boy, said: "What we need is someone who can take this team by the scruff of the neck and I think Souness can do that.

"He is a high calibre manager with experience and some success behind him, but there is still the question of whether Shearer will be working with him."

"I just wonder will he just be here until the end of the season?" said Bill, 43, who is a kitchen fitter.

Die-hard Toon Army supporter Trevor Daffey had just arrived from London to find out for himself what is going on at his beloved club, but was disappointed at the choice of Souness.

"I think its an awful choice. I just don't think he's the man for the job. He hasn't got roots here and I am not sure if the fans will take to him like they might have done Terry Venables," said Trevor, 31, a social worker.

Allan Richardson, 18, who will be taking up a new job in the bar at St Jame's Park on Saturday, said he was "well excited" at the prospect of Souness leading out United.

He said: "It's great news. They should really give him a try. I think I will have one of the best jobs in the world. Watching my favourite team and making money at the same time.

"I would have liked to have seen Bobby there still but Souness is a good manager."

Newcastle University Students, Michaela Crosthwaite and Emma Smith, both 18, said they liked Bobby Robson and were not big Graham Souness fans.

"Bobby was sweet. He really embodied the spirit of the game here in Newcastle. Can this new guy do this? We will have to wait and see."

Souness emerged as the hot tip to succeed Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park after a string of fellow Premiership managers were linked with the post.

Among those mentioned for the job have been Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren, Aston Villa's David O'Leary, Birmingham City's Steve Bruce and Manchester City's Kevin Keegan.

Terry Venables, Gordon Strachan and Gerard Houllier were also reportedly in the picture for the Magpies hotseat.