We had heard from a number of quarters in the last 8 weeks, since Alan Shearer came on board, that Alan and Mike Ashley get along quite well – very well in fact from all accounts.
Alan Shearer – Hey Mike – can you hear me – I need some transfer funds!
With Mike knowing so little about how to run a football club and demonstrating that with devastating ineptitude last season, when Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League for the first time ever, he desperately needs to listen to somebody who knows about football – that’s for sure. And somebody who really knows the game.
And there’s probably no better person for Mike Ashley to listen to right now than the classy Alan Shearer. However, there is still a risk here because Alan is still untried in management, even though he shows all the signs of becoming a potentially great manager, over time.
The news is that we may even know later today whether Alan has accepted the deal being offered by Mike which is for 4 years, but we’re not sure of the amount – it was rumored it was £4M/year, but that was based on Newcastle staying in the Premier League – and we didn’t.
Shearer will no doubt make it clear in today’s meeting that he must have the total say on everything from transfers to staff recruitment, and if he doesn’t get that, he will not accept the job, and if he doesn’t get the needed investment from Ashley he will again – not take the job.
If Alan turns down the job today, Mike Ashley will be in deep deep trouble, and it’s diifuclt to see how he can stay the owner of the still proud (but currently devastated) Newcastle United club.
What comes next should be taken with a pinch of salt – because it’s that proverbial Newcastle insider quoted by The Sun – who really gets around – don’t they? 😀
“Alan has a good working relationship with Ashley who knows he can’t act how he did with Kevin Keegan, if the club are to get themselves out of this mess.”
“He is taking on board everything Alan is saying.” “Mike knows he needs to be getting on with Shearer far better than with the previous managers.”
If this is truly a quote, we wouldn’t be surprised if it came from Derek Llambias, the Newcastle United Managing Director – it sounds like something he would say.
Ashley is very keen, to say the least, to sort out the managerial situation at the Tyneside club, and is desperate to keep Alan Shearer on board, but Mike is also a shrewd business man, and it’s by no means certain he will accept all of Alan’s demands today.
If he doesn’t, then don’t be surprised if Alan announces he couldn’t reach agreement and that he will not be the manager. Alan is obviously completely aware of what happened with Kevin Keegan, because the two have talked regularly these last several weeks, and Alan will hardly accept any hollow promises or non- committals from the owner – not after what happened to Kevin.
However, we don’t expect this to happen, and have every hope that Alan could be announced as the new long-term manager at the club by tonight, but you can never be certain.
A backroom clear-out by Alan is also almost certain, with former Assistant Manager to the great Bobby Robson – John Carver – coming back to Toon, and Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood are both expected to leave.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Rob Lee also was given some position at the club, under Alan.
If all this happens, at least the coaching staff will have the guts and pride required to be part of the famous Newcastle club – and then we will need to get some players in with that same attitude.
They will replace the hapless bunch of losers we’ve had this season, most of whom are frantically rushing to the lifeboats before the ship goes down – and showing the same lack of guts and spirit they had all season long.
And if that seems really harsh on the players – so be it!
22 comments so far
Bruce18
May 26, 2009 at 6:08 AM
Comment #1I guess and hope Shearer will become the manager and…..player. (Base on he earn the same if he only engage as manager 🙂 )
Dan_008
May 26, 2009 at 6:29 AM
Comment #2I would love to see Rob Lee and even Gary Speed at the club..
serene0380
May 26, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Comment #3anyone knows whether I can still watch next season of the Newcastle on internet website?
Don’t think TV will broadcast???
Fr Singapore
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Comment #4I like very few of the senior players..I was screaming for some youth to be bedded in mid season as the senior team was that clueless.
Clear the Deck and get some new blood in.
I am not 100% behind the shearer appointment but will give him a season in the championship to see how he manages over a full season.
Tom4Nufc
May 26, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Comment #5Mate,
Just use
http://www.myp2p.eu
That broadcasts basically all english football games from league one to premier league.
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Comment #6Championship games are on the net,my friend has watched some birmingham games last season.
justin.tv iraqgoals etc
geordie deb
May 26, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Comment #7Does anyone know if Rob Lee has his coaching badges? While he was a great player and servant of NUFC – and AS’s best mate, it could be a case of the blind leading the blind
harry861
May 26, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Comment #8I do hope Alan gets what he wants to be manager, After Sunday game I know their goal was a fluke that aside I could not understand his subs that he used, especially Shola.
He will know what players to go & I use this word loosely by describing them as players. Give the funds to buy & give the young one’s a chance to show what they can do.
Johno Toon
May 26, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Comment #9I would be 100% behind shearer staying on , we need someone with a vision and ruthlessness to take over and lead is back to the premiership and i think Shearer is the man to do it.
serene0380
May 26, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Comment #10Hi Sirjasontoon
Do you have the website that can watch the Championship games?
I do hope to see Alan Shearer signed as a manager…
hitman
May 26, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Comment #11lets hope ashley gives shearer what he wants.
Davies
May 26, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Comment #12Sirjason, I’m with you on the appointment of Shearer. I felt the same way when Keegan came back. I’m just not sure about it.
The irony, of course, is that we’ve all been saying Shearer should get some experience with a Championship team before managing us in the Premier League. Well, he couldn’t have wanted more appropriate choice of Championship side.
Micky Toon
May 26, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Comment #13Shearer and Rob Lee. Fantastic. It will be like Keegan and Terry Mac in 92 all over again! 🙂
Whumpie
May 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Comment #14There’s something about what’s been said since Big Al arrived that makes me optimistic about him as a manager. Unlike anyone since Sir Bob, he just has that air of total authority.
Also (unlike our owner) he knows where his weaknesses are, and covers them by bringing in advice from the best around.
I’m just starting to get out of the depression that’s taken over since 6pm Sunday and I am beginning to think that the club really needed relegation to force the wholesale changes that are needed.
Will Shearer be the next Sir Alex? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Step 1: have him still at the club next season. Please.
Guttierez1
May 26, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Comment #15If Shearer does decide to not take on the job, maybe we could try for Strachan. He just quit his post at Celtic, and with his experience and status, he might be able to attract bigger players and get us back into the prem next season. Hes won alot of trophies for Celtic and did a great job at Southampton before that
cicero
May 26, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Comment #16Why does everyone expect Rob Lee to come in as a coach? As great a Newcastle player as he was he’s Shearer’s mate not a coach; John Carver, Tony Parkes (Blackburn/Blackpool) or even Gary Speed these are coaches who will contribute not just a mate looking for a job.
DJM TOON
May 26, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Comment #17no way on strachan. he wouldnt come to the fizzy pop league anyway
AS
JC
RL
i’m not 100% on AS either, but rob lee was a really tactically astute player and if you cut him in half he was b+w as for carver… nuff said.
i’m liking the idea of those three… hope it happens
Natureboy95
May 26, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Comment #18if shearer doesn’t stay, what about Gerard Houllier? any thoughts?
Tom_Toon
May 27, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Comment #19#
Tom_Toon
May 27, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Comment #20###
Mauritian Magpie
May 27, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Comment #21As many toons, am not that sure AS is totally the right man in the right place. Rob Lee can be an option but his lack of experience at this level can be a huge weight in the scale. What Newcastle need, is a man who have experiences as a high level player, know everything about Newcastle, understand the passion of the fans, have at least wear the black & white shirt, love Tyne, respected by players as managers, a sort of BR or KK. This man, Newcastle already got it and he is the special one to bring back the magpies on top. His name : PETER BEARDSLEY ! ! !
workyticket
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #22Whumpie // May 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM
“Also (unlike our owner) he knows where his weaknesses are, and covers them by bringing in advice from the best around.”
Whumpie, he didn’t bring in “the best around”. He brought in Iain Dowie.