Buzzin Football

This morning I awoke to the news that Alan Shearer was to be appointed the Newcastle United manager, but as the day wore on and the appointment wasn’t confirmed, I had my doubts that this whole story could be a victim of the date, April Fools Day.

But listening to the Radio Five Live football England  post-match phone-in, I was surprised to hear Alan Shearer call the program to confirm he has become the fourth Newcastle United manager this season, following in the footsteps of the ‘other’ messiah Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear (who is still recovering from the experience in hospital) and Chris Hughton, who has been unable to step up to the job as caretaker manager in Kinnear’s absence.

Shearer denied he had been offered the vacant manager’s position earlier in the season and that he had accepted the offer after a meeting with owner Mike Ashley; and that he was sincerely only interested in undertaking the role for the eight remaining Premier League fixtures whereby he would step aside to allow Joe Kinnear to return to the role in a full-time capacity.

When squeezed on the possibility of successfully avoiding relegation and wishing to remain as full-time manager, Shearer told Alan Green: “I’m here for eight games and eight games only!”

Newcastle Utd have called a press conference for tomorrow where they will officially unveil Alan Shearer as their new caretaker manager.  Shearer confirmed he is bringing Ian Dowie in to help him.

Newcastle have confirmed that Dennis Wise has left his role as Director of Football as part of Shearer’s appointment.

Newcastle United fans have been crying out for Alan Shearer to return to St. James Park ever since he retired as a player in 2006.  But hitherto, the warmth, comfort and security of the Match Of The Day pundits sofa and BBC contract has been used to reflect any interest of putting himself in the firing line.

I am very surprised that Shearer has finally agreed to join Newcastle, even if it is on a caretaker basis.  If he cannot avoid Newcastle being relegated to the Championship then it will be the second coming revisited.  And of all the teams in the battle to avoid relegation Newcastle’s ‘home run’ is by far the most difficult; and it starts with a home coming for Alan Shearer against high-flying Chelsea at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

No doubt all Geordie fans will be dancing in the street tonight and singing at the top of their voices on Saturday afternoon.  But come the end of the season will his stature as a Newcastle legend still be intact or will it be reminiscent of Trevor Brooking’s brave attempt to keep his beloved West Ham United in the Premiership when he was appointed in similar circumstances in April 2003?