A really good interview with the Sun today with Alan Shearer and Alan goes through why he doesn’t think it would be a good thing to have both Kevin and himself at Newcastle United working together right now.
Alan Shearer – will not be joining Kevin at Newcastle
Alan explains his reasons for not joining Kevin at Newcastle and talked to the Sun today:
“I have not snubbed anyone or anything like that. I chatted to Kevin for four hours at my house first time. Then we had another long meeting on Monday.†“Throughout the talks, all I was thinking about was what would be best for Newcastle – not what would be best for me.â€
“This club has given me too much for me to turn my back at a time when I might be able to help. But I don’t think I would be a help right now – and I have explained that to Kevin.†“He basically told me I could come in as his assistant or in any role I wanted, but the timing is just not right.”
“Right now I think the last thing they would need is another dominant personality, another name,” “It needs one personality driving things forward at the club – and that is Kevin Keegan. It needs to be his way, and if it is I think he can turn things round. Myself and Kevin were just too similar personalities – we are both opinionated.â€
“We are both single-minded and have our ideas about how things should be done. That is not the best mix – you need to be different. So for plenty of reasons, I had to say no.†“I’m not saying the door is closed for ever. Just right now there is plenty to be sorted out there – and one man needs to do it and do it his way.â€
“All the time I will remain a fan of my club, but for now that is all.”
We think that Alan has probably made the right decision given what he has said and what he is like. When you’re very like someone else, you generally either get on great – or not very well at all. So Alan thinks there was a definite potential there for conflict with Kevin. Another way of saying it is he would want to do it his way, and doesn’t think he’d be a good number two. And we think he could be right.
But it’s a pity. We could do with Alan’s influence at the club right now, and we were hoping he would agree to a couple days a week just to be with the players on the training field, or something unofficial like that. He seemed to have a big impact when he worked with Glenn Roeder in early 2006, as Glenn was only too willing to agree with.
But Alan will have to get management experience somewhere, before taking over the reins at Newcastle. We’ll have to see what happens when he finishes his stint at the BBC Match of the Day in about 18 months, and see how Newcastle are doing then. Very well we hope.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Alex
Feb 2, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Comment #1Probably for the best but until he has managed Newcastle Shearers shadow will always hang over the club.
yet_another_indian_toon
Feb 2, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Comment #2Good this monkey is off the back….
Leo*
Feb 2, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Comment #3wow not an article by shearer which isnt an ego trip. although there are little pinches of ego seeping in.
Black and White Blood
Feb 2, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Comment #4Sorry sounds nothing more than sour grapes to me. I have been fortunate enough to have met with Alan many times over the years through his family relations , he was always prepared to provide free tickets to any of his games, I was lucky enough to be at his England debue (U21) when he scored a hatrick – I have always maintained Alan’s ego become to big once he left Southampton. People are unaware how he caused a great rift between his siter Eillen by refusing to go to her birthday party, just because her friends would be there and that he might have to sign autographs! – Ego ever present none more so than when he came to Newcastle.
ChrisL
Feb 2, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Comment #5I think Alan should crawl under a rock & keep his mouth shut till he has some experience. Every time he opens it with regards Toon management, he’s hurting the club (unintentional I’m sure) & making it harder for Keegan.
In four to five years time, when Shearer has earned his stripes…. I’ll be in full support of his management of the Toon & hang off every word he says. Till than, please keep quiet Alan.
chrisbunton
Feb 2, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Comment #6ChrisL, Black and White Blood and Leo……you people make me sick. Your negativity is a disgrace…Shearer is an absolute legend and it’s obvious he’s thinking in the interests of the club. I hope you are Sunderland fans because Newcastle need less supporters like you1