Graeme Souness was appointed manager of Newcastle United Football Club on Monday after resigning from Blackburn Rovers where he had been in charge since 2000.
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd told Sky Sports News: "Graeme Souness leaves Blackburn Rovers today to take up the position of team manager at Newcastle United."
Shepherd said Souness, 51, would take seven days "gardening leave" and officially take charge on Monday September 13.
Newcastle sacked former England manager Bobby Robson last Monday.