FREDDY SHEPHERD AND HIS BOARD of directors will meet this week to draw up a shortlist for the vacant manager’s position at Newcastle United. The qualities they are searching for, aside from the elusive touch of a miracle worker, include popularity, stability and a touch of fantasy, none of which Graeme Souness quite embraced. Followed to its logical conclusion, the trail will lead to a Sunderland supporter.

At boarding school in Northern Ireland, Martin O’Neill used to get into trouble for listening to Sunderland games on his transistor radio underneath the bedclothes, but the Tyneside public do not hold it against him. In local polls, O’Neill has been the preferred choice to replace Souness. Shepherd, who is due a good decision, values those opinions.

“Unfortunately, Graeme never really clicked with Newcastle fans,” the chairman said. “I’m not saying anything that I wouldn’t say to his face, but the fans just didn’t take to him. It’s vitally important that the new manager is popular, that the supporters like him.”

Shepherd was speaking after a match that encapsulated the best of Newcastle. Freed from the insecurity and dour bitterness that characterised the latter months of Souness’s reign, St James’ Park throbbed with noise. With pressure lifted, albeit against poor opponents, the team played with width and verve. Alan Shearer’s record-breaking goal was a throwback that symbolised the sense of release.

After four matches without scoring, the superstitious Shearer had changed his boots on Wednesday and the new pair were promptly removed by Shepherd to be cast in silver and displayed in the club’s new museum, which opens today. “It’s probably been the worst week in my life,” Shepherd said. “But at least it ended well. You couldn’t have written the script.”

Smiling and cracking jokes, Shepherd did not sound like a man under crushing scrutiny, although the importance of victory over Portsmouth — Newcastle’s first win in the league since mid-December — could not be exaggerated. After weeks of internal conflict, fear of relegation was the tipping-point that did for Souness and prompted the caretaker appointment of Glenn Roeder, assisted by Shearer.

“We had to leave the managerial situation on the back burner until the Portsmouth game was out of the way,” Shepherd said. “We’ll have a meeting this week and we’re not ruling anybody in or out. We don’t want to react too hastily. Every football club has to have stability, otherwise you’re in trouble, but we feel the team is in safe hands with Glenn and Alan.

“We’ll be looking at every available candidate, no matter which country they coach or manage in. Looking at who is available, there’s not that many great managers around. You’re not dealing with more than ten people who can do the job. It’s one of the biggest jobs in world football and, like Napoleon said, I’d rather have a lucky general than a brave one.”

O’Neill is the obvious candidate — for England, as well as Newcastle — and while the Irishman’s personal situation is not straightforward, he would consider an approach. He left Celtic last summer to spend time with his ill wife but has always intended to return to work and may be in a position to do so soon. Newcastle have also been keeping tabs on Sam Allardyce, of Bolton Wanderers.

Roeder and Shearer restored some fundamentals, from the team huddle before kick-off to simple passing and movement. Scott Parker and Emre Belözoglu were impish in midfield, Nolberto Solano had his most influential game since returning to the club, Shola Ameobi was aggressive alongside Shearer and the defence did not buckle. There was even a cameo for Kieron Dyer.

Aside from Dean Kiely, Portsmouth were abysmal. Charles N’Zogbia buried Newcastle’s opener in the 41st minute and Shearer drove the second through Kiely’s legs to eclipse Jackie Milburn’s total of 200 goals. “I have to be honest and admit I got a bit emotional,” Shearer said. Only one dream remains. “FA Cup hero, but that’s fairytale.” On Saturday, it was possible to believe again.