Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit remained defiant as the pressure on him mounted after last night's 2-1 home defeat by arch rivals Sunderland at St James' Park.

The Dutchman's gamble to leave skipper Alan Shearer on the bench backfired as Sunderland came from behind to win. Gullit stunned supporters arriving for the game with his decision to leave Shearer on the bench alongside Duncan Ferguson.

And he revealed that he had informed the England skipper of his decision simply by pinning the team sheet on the training ground notice board.

But the manager refused to elaborate on his decision, saying only: "It's not about Alan Shearer, it's about Newcastle.

"When we played the first half, nobody complained. When we put them (Shearer and Ferguson) on in the second half, we lost. You can make the conclusion."

But despite Newcastle being booed from the pitch at the final whistle by an angry Toon Army, Gullit insisted that he has no intention of quitting.

"I think I am still entitled to the job," he said.

"I don't want to be in this position but whatever we do, it doesn't happen," he groaned.