When former captain Roeder was promoted to replace Graeme Souness, with the club sliding steadily towards relegation, the appointment was far from an inspiring one. He was initially deemed no more than a place holder, who would guide the club through a turbulent time before handing off to a better, bigger manager. Except, that's not how the script went, and though the end of his Newcastle career was somewhat uninspiring, Roeder instilled belief, confidence and discipline in a side that was warring with itself. He turned a team seemingly destined for relegation into one that qualified for European competition (albeit through a back door), and he helped wash away the bad atmosphere left by Graeme Souness. He might not have won anything, but so tight is this list that that achievement alone deserves applause.
