Newcastle United began a familiar journey last night, with the club signalling their determination to appoint a man of “experience and stature” to replace Sam Allardyce, criteria that have already led them towards Harry Redknapp, of Portsmouth.

While any man appointed would face the uncomfortable reality that managers on Tyneside are either under pressure or out of work, Redknapp is unlikely to be concerned. Having long craved a big job — Redknapp was disappointed to have been overlooked by the Football Association in the aftermath of Steve McClaren’s dismissal — the 60-year-old is expected to be granted his wish, provided agreement can be reached between the clubs. An initial approach is imminent.

Allardyce’s departure — ostensibly by mutual consent — only eight months into a contract worth £3 million a year leaves the club searching for their eighth manager since Kevin Keegan left the post in 1997.

Redknapp has excelled on limited resources for much of his career, but it is to his expansive style of football, as much as his ability to wheel and deal, that Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, has been drawn. It was a series of dour performances, culminating in the 0-0 draw away to Stoke City on Sunday, that finally persuaded Ashley and Chris Mort, the chairman, to dispense with a manager they had inherited.

While Alan Shearer has long been mooted as the obvious candidate to succeed Allardyce, senior sources at the club denied that Newcastle’s record goalscorer and former captain had been, or would be, approached. A talismanic figure, as well as a Geordie, Shearer — who is on holiday in Barbados — would rally support, but there could be no more severe challenge for his managerial debut.

Bookmakers slashed their odds on Redknapp swapping the South Coast for the North East from 20-1 yesterday afternoon to a position as outright favourite; some suspended betting. Simultaneously, Fratton Park was understood to be awash with rumour and activity; Redknapp signed an extended contract, stretching until 2011, last October, which would entitle Portsmouth to hefty compensation.

There have, however, been some well-publicised difficulties, such as his prominent role in the BBC Panorama investigation into alleged football corruption and his arrest by City of London Police in late November. While he has maintained that he is “one million per cent innocent”, it would not be surprising if Redknapp believed a change of scenery might be beneficial.

Newcastle do not expect to have a new man at the helm before Saturday’s league match away to Manchester United, for which Nigel Pearson, the first-team coach, will take temporary charge. “Mike and I would like to place on record our thanks for Sam’s efforts and wish him well for the future,” Chris Mort, the chairman, said.

Allardyce’s position had been the subject of heated speculation after a poor series of results. At his home in Durham last night he said: “It was a shock. I didn’t expect it.”