More managerial upheaval

Graeme Souness was his replacement. His appointment was questionable among the fans in comparison to Robson's status,and despite nearly achieving a 10 game unbeaten streak upon his appointment, several disagreements with the squad and high transfer fees for players both in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 season, and the signing of Michael Owen for a record £17 million, did not see the squad meet expected standards and was sacked on 2 February 2006.Youth academy director Glenn Roeder replaced Souness beginning on a temporary basis. His first game in charge saw Alan Shearer overtake Jackie Milburn as the club's highest ever goal-scorer. Roeder was appointed full time manager at the end of the season following his guiding of the team from 15th place to 7th in just 3 and a half months.Shearer retired at the end of the 2005–06 season, with a total of 206 goals for the club, overwhelmed with contributions and awards. Despite finishing the 2005–06 season well, Roeder's fortunes quickly changed in the 2006–07 season, following what has since been classified as the worst injury run to the senior squad in the club's history, relying on youth academy players to compete in the Premier League and Europe, and he left the club by mutual consent on 6 May 2007.