The fact is ... no Geordie manager has ever won the First Division title (Premiership as it is known now) in the history of the game; and take away Stan Seymour and no Geordie manager has ever won the FA Cup. (* Bob Paisley was born in Hetton-le-Hole; Sir Bobby in Sacriston ... both south of the Tyne)
At times I even wonder if Shepherd actually knows the boundaries of being a Geordie. He told us "the next Newcastle manager will be a Geordie" and two days later announced Graeme Souness was the man ... born in Ednburgh!
Sam Allardyce is in Toon now, and personally I'd prefer him to start fresh and bring in his own backroom team. There is trouble in the camp, just as there has been during the reign of Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder ... and I'd shift the lot of them.
Will it happen? Not according to the Journal:
Allardyce was back at St James' Park yesterday talking to Lee Clark and Terry McDermott - and judging by their body language when I saw them in the club car park it looks as though the United coaches could be in the new manager's plans.
Big Sam said: "One of my first jobs will be to address our home form.
"Our success next season will be built around how well we do at St James' Park.
"I know during my early days at Bolton it was an extremely hard place to come and I was always delighted if I could leave here with a point.
"We have the players to beat any team at St. James' and, with the right team spirit and a few additions, I am sure that will happen next year.
"Picking up results at home is so important because it sends supporters home happy, and it is up to me to make sure that happens.
"I know what it is like to come here as an opposing manager and have 50,000 Newcastle fans getting right behind their team.
"Now it's great to know I'll have that support on my side at St. James' Park.
"I want this to be a place where teams know we are going to be very difficult to beat.
"With the help of the fans I want us to build something special here. Their backing is so important for us."