I'll never forget how the smug look was wiped off Freddy Shepherd's face when he announced Graeme Souness as the man to replace Sir Bobby Robson.
The chairman of the club at that time honestly believed Toon fans would be throwing roses at him for making such an "inspired" choice, when in fact many predicted -there and then - he wouldn't last a year!
But that was Freddy for your - a big Geordie heart and a pea for a brain. The days of "I'll lead and you will follow" were long gone.
He even said the man he was going to appoint was a Geordie. Perhaps someone should have told him Edinburgh-born Souness was as much Geordie as Nelson Mandela.
Today we hear Souness is topping the list of contenders for Bolton's vacant manager's job.
Souness For Bolton?
Widespread internet postings suggest chairman Phil Gartside and his board are pursuing the wrong candidate to replace Sammy Lee.
Souness, who won the FA Cup with Liverpool and League Cup with Blackburn, would be particularly unpalatable with many Bolton supporters.
The Reebok hierarchy are staying tight-lipped about their progress to name Lee's successor. However, they appear to be running out of options with Gary Megson and Chris Coleman giving no indication they are about to leave their positions with Leicester and Real Sociedad.
And both would come at a hefty price with reports suggesting Sociedad would want £1m in compensation and Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric threatening legal action if former Stockport boss Megson is pursued.
At least Souness, who has been in charge of Rangers, Liverpool, Southampton, Benfica, Galatasaray, Blackburn and Newcastle, isn't in a job.
Earlier this year he considered a £20m buy-out of Championship side Wolves.