Alan Shearer Takes Over At Newcastle

3 months ago 01st Apr 10:35

Alan Shearer is to take over as Newcastle manager until the end of the season while Joe Kinnear has heart surgery.

Shearer would be the Magpies fourth manager this season. Kevin Keegan was replaced by Joe Kinnear, who then had heart surgery and was replaced by Chris Hughton.

Former Newcastle striker Shearer has been linked to a return to the club but has been critical of its management structure in the past.

BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson told Breakfast he was "hugely surprised" by the appointment.

He added: "If anyone can lift Newcastle out of the doldrums it's Alan. He's got no experience of management but people like Jurgen Klinsmann and Franz Beckenbauer at Germany came in with no experience as well. He is regarded as a god up there in Newcastle."

Shearer's old Newcastle team-mate, Steve Watson, told BBC Radio Newcastle that he thinks the new manager will have an immediate impact: "He speaks sense, he's very single minded and knows exactly what he wants to do which I one of the main reasons why I think he will do well at this job.

"He will have that immediate effect on the squad and the fans that only someone like Kevin Keegan could have. Every single player will have the utmost respect for him and listen to what he says, it won't matter how they play, they just need to get points on the board.

"He won't put up with people saying 'I won't play here' and I think he will have an immediate effect and let's face it he's got to."

Newcastle born Shearer joined his childhood team for a record £15 million fee from Blackburn Rovers and scored 206 goals in 404 appearances during a 10-year period.

Newcastle have recently slipped into the relegation zone and are third from the bottom with 29 points from 30 matches. They have eight games left this season including hosting Chelsea on Saturday.