The Times Online

Shearer finds hope from friends reunited

1st April 2009

While Newcastle United are reluctant to gaze beyond the next eight games and the immediate priority of avoiding relegation, Alan Shearer regards his first managerial position as an opportunity to establish a legacy at St James’ Park. The mood on Tyneside has been transformed by Shearer’s extraordinary return — assisted by the departure of Dennis Wise last night — and that change has already infiltrated the dressing-room.

The chances of Michael Owen remaining at Newcastle beyond the expiration of his contract at the end of the season have been raised dramatically by Shearer’s appointment, provided the former England captain succeeds in his brief to lift the club out of the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League. That task will be onerous, but players and supporters recognise the opportunity which is beckoning. Some important battles have already been won.

Owen’s relationship with Shearer dates back to their attacking partnership for England and their sharing of an agent. It was cemented when Shearer, 38, played a key role in persuading Owen to join Newcastle from Real Madrid in 2005 and the pair remain close. Although there are several hurdles to be negotiated between now and the end of the season, Owen has been enthused by his mentor’s arrival.

Initially, Shearer’s deal will be limited to the next few weeks, but little else points to a short-term spell in charge. He has hired Iain Dowie, who has rich managerial experience, and Paul Ferris, the former Newcastle physiotherapist and a qualified barrister, to assist him at the club, while Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood, the coaches, are likely to be retained. Neither Dowie nor Ferris are yes men.

Dowie played with Shearer at Southampton in the early 1990s before renewing their friendship while working together for the BBC — Shearer, whose contract with the corporation stretches until after the 2010 World Cup, is now on unpaid leave from his Match of the Day duties — and Ferris, 43, is another long-time colleague. In 1982, aged 16, Ferris became Newcastle’s youngest senior player.

Another frenetic day in the North East was slow to bring confirmation from Newcastle regarding their new saviour. The delay was connected to the positions of Wise, the outgoing executive director (football) and Joe Kinnear. As of Tuesday night, Kinnear, who has been recuperating from triple heart bypass surgery, officially remained in his role as manager.

Earlier this week, Kinnear, who is due to speak to his specialist on Monday, hinted at a redefined role at Newcastle and one that would see him effectively succeed Wise, a possibility which has now evaporated.

“There are no plans to appoint a replacement in this role,” the club said in a statement. It should not be forgotten that Mike Ashley, the club’s owner, had previously offered Kinnear a two-year contract
extension, but Shearer’s demands have held sway.

Should Shearer, who will hold a media conference at the ground today, succeed in pulling the club away from demotion, he would have the power as well as the popularity to shape the club as he sees fit.

Safety would be worth a seven-figure sum to Shearer, not that he needs the money. He has completed both his A and B coaching badges and will have a 12-week dispensation to manage without the Uefa Pro Licence which is mandatory in the Barclays Premier League. Beyond the summer, provided he could demonstrate that he was on course to receive his coaching qualifications, there would be no official bar to his long-term appointment.

With negotiations continuing and Newcastle’s players enjoying a day off, Shearer was not present at the club’s training ground. The city was in thrall, however. “Mike Ashley made a lot of mistakes when Kevin was in charge and I don’t think he’s going to repeat them,” Freddy Shepherd, the former chairman, said. “Alan’s not stupid. Yes, he’ll want to stay, but on his terms. If he keeps them up, he’ll be quite rightly acclaimed for a terrific achievement.”