Dennis Wise is expected to be the first casualty of Alan Shearer's reign at Newcastle, the Guardian understands, with the executive director (football) deemed surplus to requirements at St James' Park. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Wise was not consulted over Shearer's appointment and that he could leave the club following a meeting today with the club owner Mike Ashley. An official statement confirming Shearer's arrival and his future plans is expected this afternoon.

While Wise seems to be on the way out, Iain Dowie is on the way in and is to join Newcastle to work as Shearer's right-hand man in the club's battle against relegation.

It is believed that Shearer was impressed by Dowie during their brief time together at Southampton and, although the two are not friends and have had no long-term contact, Shearer thinks that the former Crystal Palace and Charlton manager, who has also had stints at QPR, Coventry and Oldham, can provide valuable tactical knowledge for the struggling side.

Dowie's arrival will not spell the end for the first-team coaches Colin Calderwood and Chris Hughton, however. Though Dowie will be Shearer's No2, both Hughton, who has been working as caretaker manager in Joe Kinnear's absence, and Calderwood will remain at the club in a coaching capacity.

Shearer's appointment has been greeted with almost unanimous praise on Tyneside, but, with the club sitting precariously in the bottom three of the Premier League and a tricky fixture list to end the season, he could become the first manager to guide Newcastle to relegation since Jim Smith did so in 1988-89.

Iain Dowie's managerial record

QPR May 2008 to October 2008 P15 W8 D3 L4

Coventry City February 2007 to February 2008 P49 W20 D8 L21

Charlton Athletic May 2006 to November 2006 P15 W4 D3 L8

Crystal Palace December 2003 to May 2006 P123 W50 D29 L44

Oldham May 2002 to December 2003 P82 W31 D28 L23

QPR (caretaker) September 1998 to October 1998 P2 W1 D0 L1