Alan Pardew, who is poised to be named Newcastle United's new manager, faces an immediate battle to win over the club's players and bemused fans.
Barring any last-minute contractual difficulties - or a late offer from his former club West Ham United - Pardew will be unveiled today as the Newcastle manager after the sacking of Chris Hughton earlier this week.
But it is understood that Pardew is set to face a difficult reception from senior players at the club who remain angry at how Mike Ashley, the club owner, axed Hughton.
A revealed by The National last month, Pardew has long been a contender to take over at Newcastle.
Despite taking the club straight back to the Premier League after they were relegated in 2008/09, Hughton has been on borrowed time since the start of the season from the club's demanding owner.
Aware of the club's stance, Martin O'Neill, who quit Aston Villa before the start of the season, made it known through the football grapevine he was ready to return to work and was interested in the Newcastle job if it became available.
But it is understood that initial inquiries by cash-conscious Ashley persuaded him that O'Neill would be too expensive for his business plan - not just in terms of wages but who he wanted to bring in as part of his coaching staff and transfer funds.
Pardew, on the other hand, comes with a good reputation of working on tight budgets by buying bargains and polishing rough diamonds, particularly during his spells at Reading and West Ham.
His CV suffered at Charlton Athletic when they were relegated from the Premier League under his watch in 2007. However, he did an impressive job at League Two club Southampton before being sacked earlier this season in bizarre circumstances two days after a 4-0 win.
Despite his pedigree, Pardew's appointment will go down like a lead balloon among the club's fans and, more to the point, some players.
There is major dissention because of Pardew's close relationship with Ashley's right-hand man, Derek Llambias, and the move is perceived as a return to the club being run by a "London mafia" - a charge that eventually saw Dennis Wise, the club's former football director, driven out two seasons ago.
Pardew believes he can move the club on and push them towards Europa League qualification this season. It is understood he is considering keeping Peter Beardsley, the Newcastle icon who was made caretaker manager after Hughton's sacking, among his coaching staff to help win over doubting fans.
But his first challenge will be to get senior players such as Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan on his side and make sure that he is not forced to sell star striker Andy Carroll in the January transfer window.
A source close the club told The National last night: "The Geordie fans have got to a point where they are beyond protesting too much - so if anything Pardew's arrival will be greeted with silence. But it could be a different story in the dressing room."