Souness to sort out 'brat pack'

Graeme Souness took over as Newcastle manager today and immediately pledged to sort out the club's so-called "brat pack" of ill-disciplined players.

Souness claimed he was fully aware of the stories about the off-field behaviour of some of the club's younger players and is determined to stamp out any excesses.

But the 51-year-old Scot, who has a reputation as a disciplinarian, insisted he will use the carrot as much as the stick.

"There has been a lot of talk about the so-called brat pack but I don't see it like that," said Souness. "There are some lads here who just need a bit of guidance. I am disciplined in my life and I expect them to be disciplined.

"All they need is a bit of education. It's about me pointing them in the right direction and the senior pros teaching the young lads. I'll expect players like Alan Shearer to play their part in that."

Souness, who has been awarded a two-year contract with a rolling 12-month deal afterwards, inherits an underachieving squad that were expensively assembled by Sir Bobby Robson.