News if the World

Shearer in frame for Blades role

21st November 2009, by Martin Hardy

ALAN SHEARER is favourite to take over as Sheffield United boss if Kevin Blackwell is sacked.

The Bramall Lane chief is on the brink of losing his job after a dramatic slump that has left the club floundering way off the play-off spots.

Blades fans have turned on Blackwell in recent weeks despite yesterday's 1-0 win over bottom side Peterborough.

The United bosses are desperate for a return to the Premier League and Shearer has growing support.

They believe he would be the talisman to breath life into a campaign that is in serious danger of being blown out before December.

They would back him in the January transfer window.

For his part, Shearer is keen to return to management after his brief spell in charge at Newcastle last season.

Then Shearer was unable to keep the Toon up and waited all summer for the call to return to take over at St James' Park in a permanent position.

But owner Mike Ashley snubbed the 39-year-old and last month handed Chris Hughton the role on a permanent position until 2011.

That has hardened Shearer's resolve to return and he wants an ambitious club with Premier League aspirations.

"He's desperate to get back in," said a source close to the former England captain. "He waited for Newcastle and it didn't happen.

"Now he wants another club. He has the hunger and he is just waiting for the right club with the right ambition."

Sheffield United have given a signal of their intentions by appointing former Chelsea chief executive Trevor Birch and have ambitious off-field plans to rejuvenate the club.

Shearer still has his television work with the BBC but I understand corporation bosses have been told of his intentions and would not stand in his way.