BBC Sport

Magpied U-turn surprised Shearer

16 September 2010

Alan Shearer was under the impression he had been given the Newcastle job following the club's relegation, he has told BBC Radio 5 live in an interview.

The 40-year-old was drafted in by owner Mike Ashley for the final eight games of the 2008-9 season but could not prevent the Magpies from slipping down.

"I thought I had the job at Newcastle," said the former caretaker manager.
 

An evening with Shearer Former England and Newcastle striker takes questions from a live audience as part of 5 Live's Septemberfest. Listen at the BBC | Download MP3

"We'd got relegated and I'd sat down with the appropriate guys - we'd agreed everything. Then two days later..."

The former Newcastle striker added: "I have not spoken to them since. I rang someone up and he didn't know what was going on, and I never got a phone call after that."

One win, against Middlesbrough, and two draws saw Newcastle miss out on survival by a point.

Despite the outcome, Shearer said he had not been deterred from a return to management.

"I absolutely loved my time at Newcastle, despite what happened," he added.

"I have never, ever worked so hard in my life and my kids have never seen so little of me, but I loved the challenges that it brought and yes, if the right one came along, then I would seriously look at it."

The Magpies returned to the top flight at the first time of asking and Shearer praised current manager Chris Hughton for helping it happen.

"He has done a magnificent job. He is a really, really nice guy and was a big help to me when I went in there," said the former England captain.

"I have got to be honest, I didn't think Newcastle would come back up at the first attempt with the team they had.

"They had some very good players in there, but the vast majority were the players who took them down, and you have got to give Chris tremendous credit for that."

Meanwhile, Shearer believes Harry Redknapp deserves to be the next England coach.

"It should be an Englishman and there are plenty of English guys would do a good job," he said.

"I know the players would love to play for Harry. Management is more about man-management than coaching and Harry has proved over the years that he does a good job at that."

Newcastle are currently 14th in the Premier League after losing last Saturday at home to Blackpool.