Steve McClaren has urged Newcastle United fans to be cautious as they await news of the club's takeover.
Supporters of the Magpies are waiting with bated breath after news broke two months ago about a prospective £300million deal to buy the club.
Amanda Staveley is the figurehead of the Saudi-backed consortium who are said to be leading the charge for the club, but so far there’s been no news of a completed deal.
With reporters such as Sky Sports' Pete Graves insisting that it won't be too much longer, fans are getting increasingly more excited about the prospect of life under a new owner.
However according to the former manager, it's important not to get carried away.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, McClaren said: “You’d like to think it will be done, that’s what everybody has been craving for.
“The north east is a unique area for football. The Newcastle fans are thinking not another season with Mike Ashley.
“What happens at a football club, as we all see, is the crave to want this and want that. We want the takeover, we want Mike Ashley out, and this and that.
“And it’s going to be great for the first three or four months, but it depends what they do and which direction they go after that.”
He added: "They may come in and could be one of those [owners] who cut the budget, and they’re not going to give the money or rescue the club. Nobody knows until they come in.
“But what you will get is a huge lift from those supporters wanting change and craving change.
"Football is a religion in the north east, it is a religion in Newcastle.
“They will want to see change, so they must be so frustrated again. But I’ve seen this come up so many times over the years from living in the north east and it never happens.
“And as long as this one drags on then that’s going to slip by as well.”
GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...
While patience is obviously key during such uncertain times, you can hardly blame the Newcastle United fans for growing restless.
For many, a potential announcement of a full takeover is exactly what they’ve been wishing for several years while enduring a turbulent reign under Mike Ashley.
The Sports Direct owner has been a hugely unpopular figure on Tyneside, and that’s why talk of interest from the Saudi-based consortium is such a hot topic of conversation.
But Newcastle fans must still be cautious.
If anyone knows what it’s like to see their club owned by an unpopular figure, it’s Newcastle United fans.
That’s why they must remain patient – after all, the last thing they want is to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.