If Freddy Shepherd gets his own way, Alan Shearer will be Newcastle’s next manager after Graeme Souness with the Chairman believing it’s what “most supporters want”. Shepherd, speaking to the Chronicle (May 12th 2005) said: “Graeme Souness has already said that he wants Alan Shearer to take over as manager when he leaves. “It’s what the most of our supporters want - and as I am also a supporter it’s what I want.” Is it what YOU, the Newcastle United supporter and Newcastle-Online.com reader want? Do YOU want Alan Shearer to succeed Graeme Souness as manager of Newcastle United? Do YOU even want him to manage the club at all in the future?

Poll Results:

Total Votes: 490

Aye? 135 votes (27.6%)

No? 283 votes (57.8%)

Undecided? 72 votes (14.7%)

Many of you also wrote in with your views and here is what YOU had to say:

The question has never been “will Alan Shearer manage the Mags” more of a “when”. I can’t agree with Shearer going straight into a top flight managerial position, as he lacks the experience to take us forward and stabilise us. David Moyes, O’Neil to name two managers who have done well in the short term (Mr. Ferguson if he doesn’t like Fat Cat Americans) My View is that Alan should learn the ropes at a lower league side where the risks are not so financially disastrous as they are in the lofty Premiership. Another point is where will he go from Newcastle if he takes the role and fails? Down over I expect or into a well documented TV analyst’s role. A message to Mr. Shepherd: You can’t pretend to know what the real supporters think about who should manage our club, and you can’t appease them by doing so, when did you last ask a season ticket holder what they wanted? My feeling is that most supporters who I know and speak to on a regular basis disagree with Alan being the next manager of our club. But… maybe in years to come, when he has learnt the trade the position should become available to him. Will he take it then or will we continue our failings so much so, that the job would not appeal to one of our most loyal servants? Got that off my chest, hope it’s not too long!
Ken

Having Alan Shearer become the next manager is a very romantic idea, of course we all love Alan but good players do not always become good managers and certainly not overnight. Souness was a good player…
Fiona Chambers

A must for next season - please god don’t let that bully spend our money. We don’t want the Faye’s of this world and we don’t want hard men from Blackburn so stop this nonsense and sack Souness now!
Wal Mallin

No I would not like shearer to be manager. His behaviour this season has been disgusting, from not backing Bobby Robson to the dressing room backstabbing. His comments when Boby Robson left, i.e. our season starts here showed he got what he wanted. As a player he has lost his pace and he knows it, he can’t compete with the young players at Newcastle now. We are great going forward with pace which defenders hate playing against, but what happens, players at Newcastle see Shearer playing week in week out still getting his huge wages and not giving a return on it. Sure there is going to be friction in the dressing room but who can stand up and make a comment without being shown the door? Alan shearer must take a look at himself, he is not Newcastle United like he believes, he is just part of Newcastle United.
Alan Batty

Give Souness a chance. Give him a few years and then when Shearer gets all the necessary experience as Souness’ coach, give him the job right away. We need a fan running things, someone who knows what this club is all about - loyalty. Shearer is the ideal candidate.
Matt

YES THAT WOULD BE SO COOL! Graeme Souness has done a really good job, and I really REALLY agree with him by saying that Shearer should be the next manager.
Aiko Henderson

When Souness was named manager I groaned and I’m still groaning. The only premadonas in this team is Souness himself. Sorry, this manager has nothing but himself to offer, it’s all about you isn’t it Graeme. I don’t live in Newcastle anymore, but I am in despair at your handling of things. You appear to be nothing more than an amateur side manager - go home, please.
Susan Reddock

Fat Fred is hanging on to his job like a leech. He will do and say anything to divert the fans from the truth of what is going on at St. James’ Park. Along with Gullit, Fatso is the worst thing that ever happened to the Magpies. He is touting Alan, and he knows Alan does not have the experience to take up the Manager’s job. No Premiership player of worth will really want to come to the Magpies. The Manager is a yes man, and not any good at Newcastle. He then is supposed to teach Alan! Why did the Fat lad not leave it to the Maestro Bobby Robson to do this? If we accept that Bobby lost control, then we must accept that Souness has no control whatsoever. So what is really going on? Barclay Knapp NTL will get the Magpies, and Fatso needs enough of his useless shares to retire on. And so it goes on ad infinitum.Alan may or may not have the gifts of say Kenny Dalglish as he had at Liverpool. Then Fatso can find another scapegoat! So why the great attraction of making Alan Manager? Simple, the Magpies have no money to buy players, and Alan is still looked on as one of the world’s best! Fatso saves face here. Souness has said he is staying for some years yet. This won’t be the case, he will be gone very soon. If fans want Alan to ruin himself, then let them see it done. It will happen, simply because Alan does not have the Managerial skills and experience needed at Newcastle.

Certainly he would be better than Souness, but then anyone would. Alan would need funds to buy players, ones who would want to come to the Magpies. But again Fatso just does not have the money to buy! The only ones he can get are on the Jean Bosman Ruling. Fatso can be trusted as far as he can throw an elephant. We know he is a born liar, when he opens his mouth and his lips move, he is lying. Alan is far from ready to Manage the Magpies. He may make a good Manager, but there are not many top players who have both skills, e.g. Wenger, Fergie, Mourinho etc. NO I do not want to see Alan ruin his reputation by trying his luck as Manager. It would only serve to save the Fat lad’s bacon that is all.
Eddy McKenzie

What a load of crap. We have a saying here: don’t talk cock and sing a song. That says it all really. What if I say most of us would rather see the back of your slap head out of St. James’s and install (soon to be) Sir Alan Shearer as the new Chairman, Freddy? He’s charismatic, legendary and above all, he is the very heart of NUFC. Everything that Fat Cat Freddy is not. Imagine the scenario for a moment, we’re in the papers for the right reasons again. The most unthinkable I know but yet one that makes the most sense. It’ll be our biggest signing yet. I don’t think Alan’s ready to take over as manager just yet, honestly. We need to get a proven super manager to work with him. Only one name comes to my mind; Gus Hiddink. He is proven in Asian and European football. Proved that language is no barrier to his brand of winning football. He’ll be paid handsomely (of course, we a big club aren’t we?) accordingly to his worth in the market. Maybe then he’ll be bringing big name players like Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink or Park Ji Soong. The Korean connection is enough to dip us into the Asian market. W! ho knows, maybe Hiddink is the man to breath new spirit into that once superstar forward named Patrick Kluivert into a powerhouse again. C’mon lads who’s with me? Chairman Shearer! Chairman Shearer! Chairman Shearer! P.S It’s high time for Shola to go on loan and give Chopra his big break.
Pria Hebat

Shearer to be Newcastle manager? Maybe, but not yet. We need an experienced manager, who can get us back to playing good football. He needs to manage a club or 2 in lower divisions before the Premiership. Just because he was/is a great player doesn’t mean he will automatically be a great manager.
Steve

No, we shouldn’t give him the job unless he proves himself first. We should look for a more experienced manager.
Sean K

Alan Shearer is the best player to become manager for me. My opinion is that Souness should get out of this club. I wish all the best to NUFC. Thank you.
Asrat Bacha

If he can do as good as Stuart Pearce then yes, but I would prefer Alan to actually learn off a good manager like Pearce did. I don’t think GS can teach Alan anything.
Rebellious

No, I don’t want Alan Shearer as our next manager. We’re too good (well we should be) for a first time manager. However, were Shearer to go and manage a couple of teams and do well, then he should come back and take the throne will have earned!
Toonidle

I’d most definitely have the through & through GEORDIE for boss. The will & determination of the man convinces me he’s THE ONE!
Kram

No way Shearer should be next manager or that Shepherd should have made the comments anyway. Souness will be constantly looking over his shoulder now knowing that he is not part of the long term plans of the club. Nice one freddy! A lot of the problems at the club start at the top and until that is sorted how can anyone there preach to players how they should behave?
Bart

In my opinion Shepherd should give Shearer the job now. I ve always been of the belief that shearer will make a good manager and now is the time. Better giving him the money than souness to waste! Other teams have made the gamble in the past such as chelsea with Vialli, recently appointed Stuart Pearce and not forgetting the Chelsea boss is young in terms of management age.
Andrew Wallace

NO! Needs more experience from that field. Maybe in a couple of years as an apprentice in Toon/manager in a smaller team to learn the trade. I think a few “Shearer-free-years” might do us good anyway’s.
Jussi

No way do we want AS as manager. Our club is corrupt and needs to be overhauled completely, FS, GS and AS out!
Magpie Mick

No No No!!! Newcastle is much too big to experiment on a first time manager. Our next boss should have a more international pedigree, sound tactics and excellent scouting ability .Some one with national team experience would suit the ninth biggest team in the world (eh Freddy?). Limiting the the job to Geordies only is damaging our club to mid-table hell.
Jay

Comments like Freddy Shepherd’s do nothing to convince anyone that he is the right man to lead our club. It is just one humiliation after another but does he care? Evidently not. Appointing Alan Shearer would be suicide. He has shown nothing as a player to suggest he will become a good enough manager at any level never mind at the cut throat end of the Premiership. Further proof that Freddy hasn’t a clue about football. God help us!
Lee West

The assumption that Shearer will make a great boss, nonetheless a great Newcastle boss, is dangerous. Throughout the history of football there has been nothing that has dictated good footballers make good managers. Christ, we only have to look at our current manager to know that’s not true. I love Shearer, like the masses, but not for one moment do I want him taking over from Souness because he is Alan Shearer. He has to earn it, and being loyal and a Geordie helps but it is by no means the deciding factor. Shephard has played this thinking that it will appease the fans once again for a while, but he’s hit a dud note, most, if not all agree with what I have just said. In reality I’d prefer it if Shearer just retired, as planned, this year. Disappeared into the wilderness and took over some small team and start from there. O’Leary is the only manager I can think of right this second that was gifted his job, without any merit or past experience and for me he is overrated, don’t allow this to happen to Shearer.
Chris Smith

What a laughing stock we have become. Only NUFC would consider handing over such a huge job to a complete novice and that’s what Shearer is. I should let my 5 year old bairn drive my car because he likes beeping the horn and turning the steering wheel… Ridiculous guff from the fat one once again. He is so out of touch it’s unreal. Amazing.
Mark Dodds

Yes he’s a legend, yes he’s a top goal getter for Newcastle United, yes’s he’s a professional, but these are not valid reasons that he can cut it as a manager at Newcastle. Despite being captain, he’s not known to be a good motivator on the field much less if he’s a manager. Tactically wise, its unlikely he’s anywhere decent as our present one even. He should retire a legend and stick to the media job offered by the BBC or whatever.
Cool Smurf

Alan, Freddy and everyone at the club will regret the day he takes over from the current idiot in charge because he will fail and because he’s a local legend, it will hurt like hell. Don’t do it Al, for your own sake if not ours, please.
David Smith

No I don’t want Shearer to succeed Graeme Souness in a few years time. I want him to just take over from him asap. The sooner the better. Ask how many people agree with that.
Andrew Feehan

I definitely want Big Al to be the Manager NOW, as I think Souness is not the person who can bring glory to NUFC.
Andrew S

Shearer should not be appointed as a manager until he’s learned the trade somewhere else. We can’t afford a totally untried (& I suggest unsuitable) manager @ the Toon. There are enough problems already.
Dave

I would like to see Souness out. Also I respect Shearer as a player but I believe he has become bigger than the club and everything seems to centre around him, so I would not like to see Shearer as manager or assistant manager.
Swanny

I don’t know of a single (real) fan that wants Alan to be boss It could turn into the biggest disaster the club’s had (apart from Souness). Good Players do not make good managers FACT.
Michael Nee

As a Mackem can I just add my support to the Shearer for manager campaign that fatty seems intent on cranking up. I can’t think of anything better and more fitting for you Toonies.
SAFC
Unfortunately no, not yet. One day I think it’s inevitable but give the bloke a chance to learn the management ropes, I don’t want big Al to jump in to this too quickly. I think some time working with the team off the field in the background and alongside a GOOD manager will serve himself and NUFC much better.
M.Peace
Part of me wants to have a manager back at St James’ who I really respect and, even in a way, love as we all had with Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan and would surely have with Big Al at the helm. However, another part of me feels that, expecting Shearer to take to top flight management as he did to professional football (a hat trick against Arsenal in his first start FFS!) is a little too much. I’d much prefer him to learn his trade as an understudy to a really good manager (so not Souness) who is in control until The Golden Boy is ready to take over. Sir Bobby was the perfect man for the job but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Therefore, my point of view is as follows. We need rid of Souness, for he just cannot do it. He wants to be able to do it but he just doesn’t have the ability or the man management skills. It’s like me wanting desperately to be a professional player, it doesn’t matter how much I want to be good enough, I am not. So, we need to bring in a manager that is good enough to take the job but is also nearing the end of his career and so a short term appointment would suit him. The only man that I can think of that fits the bill is Giovanni Trappatoni. Would a situation with him in charge and Shearer behind him taking notes work? It’s difficult to say (I’m not even sure he speaks English) but, it’s the only type of circumstance that I can see working where Shearer eventually becomes manager.
Chris Robson
No, I do not want Alan Shearer to be the next manager of NUFC. I want him to take a long holiday away from this club, 5 years worth, if not more. It would give time for faces to change, and perhaps, wounds to heal. I’ve always been a supporter of him becoming a manager elsewhere, cutting his teeth, with his performance being genuinely analyzed by us, as a club and as fans. It wouldn’t just be a place-holder job, it’d be one where he’d be under thorough scrutiny. To put it in percentage terms, I believe there is a 65% chance of him being awful, a 20% chance of him being a mediocre, alienating John Gregory-type, and a 15% chance of him being great, a new Sir Alex Ferguson. We should not gamble our club’s future, indeed, its existence, on those odds, without a low-risk test bet, or two.
80
No, I think we need proven class, not Alan Shearer.
Steve Holmshaw

I think Shearer will fare equally as bad as many of the experienced managers that we’ve had in recent years. I cannot believe that Alan will be able to spark the team into life. There’s something seriously wrong at Newcastle. When you consider the fantastic fan base, the transfer funds that have been made available (and spent). Why have we not progressed at all in the last 10 years or so. The club needs to sort itself out from top to bottom. We shouldn’t keep dreaming for a fairy tale ending.
Gav

No chance… we need someone that will change the club from the inside out. Someone who is going to scout Europe for the best talent, stand up to Fat Fred and get rid of the amateur coaching staff. Shearer will just go along with Fat F red! One man should never be bigger than the football club…unfortunately it feels like it is becoming that way with Shearer. Still a legend obviously… but I want it to stay that way!
Clive Allan
No, I don’t want an untried manager like Shearer taking over a 100 million pound club, no successful player becomes a successful manager. I want a manager who has proven it at the highest level. And soon.
Dave Balmer
I actually think we need a PROPER manager before The Lion takes over; for God’s sake, we’ve got to win something haven’t we?
Pat Harty
Shearer should go somewhere else and learn to manage and come back once he’s proved himself. He’s been a great player, but he can’t jump straight in at the top flight (not that we’ll be there if we carry on like this) He needs to learn to behave like an adult when he doesn’t get his own way before he’ll make a good manager
Lucy
Shearer is god… but as a player and even then his time is coming to an end and some fans are starting to see this. If he were to take over, it could destroy the magical bond he has with the fans. A bond he has earned with his fantastic performances, goals and loyalty. If it happens I will support him and the club but I remain skeptical and would far rather see him earn his spurs at another club, one he has no ties with.
Paul Ash
In a perfect world we would win a trophy with SBR as Director of Football, Shearer as Manager and Keegan as Assistant Manager. But as we all know the world is far from perfect. To be honest I don’t care too much who the manager is so long as we win something soon. I’d be delighted if GS won us something next season but the odds on that are a little long at the moment. I am concerned that Shearer will be too inexperienced to be the manager who brings us some success and the image he has built up over the last 9 years is liable to be undone with a combination of him possibly playing for one year too many and then failing as manager of the club. The choice of manager will depend upon who is interested and if someone like Gus Hiddink could be enticed from PSV I would choose him ahead of Big Al.
Gosport Toon
Which other top club announces their next manager will be an untried and inexperienced rooky manager that has only ever won the Premiership once as a player? I have serious concerns. Can Shearer manage young highly paid players of today? Is he familiar with up to date coaching methods? Has he got the relevant experience as a manager of international stars to bring out the best in them? I think this is yet another example of our Chairman speaking without thinking which provides further evidence of his total lack of ability to run such a large commercial enterprise.
Maradoc
I think it’s a ridiculous idea, and typical of the naive, reactionary approach taken by Shepherd, the man who wanted to bring you Rooney as replacement for Woodgate. How can he say, in the same breath, that Newcastle are one of the top teams requiring the top personnel, then talk of employing a complete novice!!! Not to mention the supreme un professionalism of naming the next manager when the current one has shown no sign of retiring. Who is this imbecile we have for a chairman?
RJ Floyd
I think Shearer as manager would be a disaster for the Toon. Over the years he has conspired with Fred to remove managers, shown no loyalty to anyone but himself and clearly has problems working with younger players. He has had his time at Newcastle, let him move else where if he wants to learn his trade as a manager.
Bill
I’m not sure whether I want him or not as I have no idea if he has any managerial ability! Actually, that answers the question for me, how on earth can we possibly be appointing a future manager who has no experience and who’s only qualification is that he is a Geordie? One thing though, we are stuck with Souness regardless now as who in their right mind would come to us knowing that they are only babysitting the position for Al?
Emma
Hiring Alan Shearer to be manager of Newcastle United with no experience would be a huge step backwards. Newcastle United must strive to have the best manager possible not the one that was born in closest proximity to St. James’ Park. I don’t think any other team in the EPL would hire a manager with no more than one year of coaching experience. The job as manager is not a ceremonial position. To treat it as a joke with the guise that the supporters want it shows what little respect Shepherd has for the fans of the team. There is no association that Alan Shearer, legendary striker will turn into Alan Shearer, great manager.
Christopher Maitland
I think Shearer should be packed off to learn the managerial trade in the lower divisions (might I even suggest Hartlepool?). If he makes a success of it I would love to see him in the Toon hotseat. I dont see why anyone should be handed a managers job at a club like Newcastle purely on sentiment. For example, Arsenal would have been in trouble if they had made Tony Adams manager, he flopped at Wycombe. Great players don’t always make good managers, I think we are playing a very dangerous game!
Graeme Wanless
Happy with the thought Shearer may be manager one day, but he needs experience. We should be appointing top class, winning, proven managers, not apprentices.
Mac
Sure, I want to see Big Alan be our boss in the future but it should be in the right time. I don’t think Big Alan is ready to be our boss and lead us back to be champions now or in 2-3 years. For my opinion, We should hire a world class manager to be our boss and let Big Alan learn from him like Mourinho and Sir Bobby. And one thing, I don’t think Souness is that man. I need to see Newcastle back to be one of favourite football club in Europe again, or at least show us some quality football.
Aree S
No. Why would you want someone with pretty much no management experience managing a club the size of Newcastle United? FS and co. have to ditch the sentimentality and get real. The fact that Shearer is a legend and a Geordie doesn’t make him a top-class manager. Let him learn his trade elsewhere and if he can show he has the potential to be a world class manager then I’d take him, because that’s the sort of manager Newcastle deserve.
Tim Webster
Why would we want a manager with no significant experience whatsoever? That’s suicide for the club and only looks to taint Shearer’s iconic image as a player. Maybe one day, but not as Souness’s replacement, which hopefully will be sooner rather than later. Why is Shepherd so hell-bent on this fantasy of a Geordie manager leading the club to the success we crave so badly? Why not just get the right manager instead of just any Geordie no matter how crap he might be, which seems to be his philosophy?
Liam Ewing
I thought we already had Alan Shearer as manager with the Jock puppet used only for press conferences etc.
Andy Rivers
Alan Shearer was a great player but that does not qualify him to manage NUFC. No I do not think he would be a good choice as next manager. By all means qualify as a coach at NUFC but then he should prove his pedigree at a smaller club first. This idea that FS has that NUFC should be managed by a Geordie is nonsense and will hold the club back. Most fans want O’Neil, Hiddink or someone of their ilk.
Zebra
Not in a million years! He was a great goalscorer but probably the worst captain this club has had in recent years. Shearer’s motivation has always been himself. What makes Shepherd think Shearer will make a good manager - heaven only knows. If Shearer wants to try management let him go out and serve his apprenticeship in the lower leagues. Meantime can we please demonstrate against Souness and Shepherd in the loudest possible terms in our last home match. If we do not we are well and truly destined for years and years of misery and mediocrity.
Blue Bell
No way, with a man without any managing experience to coach a EPL team. A good player doesn’t mean a good manager. If Newcastle offer Shearer to be the next manager, I sure Newcastle wont go too far and will head to the relegation zone.
Billy Wong
No, he has no track record in management and hasn’t finished his coaching badges. John Carver would be a good choice having many years of service as Bobby Robson’s understudy as had Jose Morinho and he turned out ok.
Alan
As a Newcastle fan I would rather we brought in a foreign manager who brought in foreign players because lets face it, we buy English players, don’t get me wrong England has a great football team, but the players we bring in can barely get a game except Dyer, and since Newcastle have so much money why don’t we go after the decent Italian defenders and Spanish midfielders/attackers. My view on Shearer is that maybe he should manage a Championship team first to get experience, saying that if things continue the way they are going we may end up in the Championship when Shearer takes over
Scott Sweetin
We need a proven manager who knows the game inside out - not an ex star who is going to learn his trade at one of the most difficult to manage clubs in the world.
Sharpy
Alan may well turn out to be a top class manager, testing that theory out for the first time at Newcastle is not exactly a great idea, though. As successful managers will no doubt tell you. There is no room for sentiment - install as good a pedigree as you possibly can. When Alan has proved himself in the lower leagues then I’m sure he would be a welcome candidate.
Steve Keogh
I think Shearer has been a great player for us over the years but in what other industry would you hand over a £300 million company to someone who has no experience and no qualifications?
C.Lakey
No, Alan Shearer one day might make a great manager, but that day is a long way off. Souness should go now and now is not the time for Shearer. He needs to earn his spurs first. Otherwise it would be gross negligence of the first order on behalf of Freddy Shepherd.
Magpie Til I Die
If he’s half as good at management as he is at playing then he’s got to be the right man for the job. It’s true that good players don’t automatically make good managers but with the right help early on he could take us to the very top, meaning winning the Premiership and Champions League one day and not finishing fourth in the table!
Ian
As long as that useless Scottish tart leaves I’d happily accept the Chuckle Brothers in charge. Be nice if Fat Freddie went with him too.
Andy Bell
Maybe I’m in a minority - or maybe it’s the silent majority - but I don’t want Shearer as manager in the foreseeable future. The old-fashioned English centre-forward style of play is dead. The rush of a winger to the corner flag followed by a high cross into the box is, thankfully, gone. Alan’s style of play is no longer effective, which is why we need new strikers. Unless he says otherwise, Shearer must be assumed to want to coach and to plan a match strategy in the same way that he has played. No thanks. Not now. Let’s get a continental-style coach in who can lead NUFC forward, not back.
Chris
The number of players who end their playing career, go straight into top-flight management and make a success of it is a small one. If he has to be our manager I would prefer that he completes an apprenticeship in the lower leagues prior to managing NUFC. I don’t believe that ex-players automatically make good managers and statistics are on my side. The last thing that we want or Shearer would want is for his achievements as a player to be overshadowed by a calamitous managerial stint.
John Gilbert
A new world class manager and backroom team is need as I do not believe the dysfunction in the squad can be sorted by the present management team and new additions will not fulfill their, and the team’s, potential without the kind of leadership required. The game and the demands today require top proven managers for the top teams. It is not a guarantee of success but it greatly reduces the risks and potentially good managers can be destroyed by going to the top too early. Shearer might be great in the future but, if the Board truly see NUFC as a top club, then this is an experiment that we, and I would suggest Shearer, should not be taking. SBR built the young base and it will be a lot easier to destroy than grow if action is not taken now!
Domici Dolan
Shearer for manager? One day maybe but, in my opinion, this club would take a great leap forward if the constant reference to Geordie heroes/legends/winners bullsh1t was forgotten. If Shearer wasn’t a Geordie, he’d have been dropped or sold at least a year ago. In my judgment, he’s also been an ineffective captain. When was the last time you seen him encouraging the team on the pitch? And what about his influence behind the scenes? Doesn’t seem to have much of an impact on team performance, but he sure retains his legend status. It’s oh so tiresome… He has no credentials whatsoever that support his appointment as a manager.
Dave Atkinson
I don’t understand why everyone is so desperate to push Shearer into management. Shepherd, Souness and half the country seems to “know” somehow that he will make a great manager. I don’t know what psychic powers they think they have, but skill, passion and leadership on the field are very rarely translated into effective management from the touchlines. How many world class players can anyone name who have become outstanding managers? And I don’t remember Mourinho, Wenger or Ferguson setting the world alight as players. The closest a great player has come to being a great manager in recent times is probably Dalglish - and he hardly repeated his Liverpool and Blackburn successes with us. Maybe Shearer will be the exception - the one great player who makes it as a great manager - but what a risk to take, and what pressure to put on his shoulders. I think it’s ironic that at the same time that Souness is calling for more experienced players for the first team rather than untried youngsters; he (and we) are calling for an untried “youngster” for the most important role of all - that of manager.
Ian Brodie
Shearer as Manager! Do me a favour, he virtually runs the club at the minute and where are they?? Way too selfish and would be like another Souness, falling out with the stars at the club while the mediocre lot (JJ and co) get away with being very very average.
Big Nig
I do not want shearer as the next NUFC manager.
Walter Reid
Yes I do!! But I just hope we are not rushing him, great players don’t always make great managers, In this case Shearer would do very well, He would attract BIG BIG NAME players to the club, everyone would want to play under Shearer’s Leadership! Lets do it, Howay the lads!!!!!
Glenn Dawson
I think every fan would like to believe that Alan Shearer will play a significant role in the future of the club however, I do not feel that it would be the right move for him to go straight into management. Most fans would agree that Sounness certainly is not the way forward either. No doubt he’ll be given the funds to spend in the Summer and will bring in mediocre players before losing his job midway through next season. It is clear that the problem lies with the manager and not the players. Shepherd should do everything in his power to appoint Martin O’Neill as the new boss, and give the fans something to look forward to instead of the inevitable relegation dogfight that Sounness will lead us to!
Scott Holmes
I Don’t believe Alan Shearer is the right person for the Job. Not only does he have no experience in management but proven managers (Robson & Dalglish!) have been unable to direct the club to success so how would Shearer. You could state that his stature as a Newcastle legend could help with the respect of fans but again in the case of Robson and Dalglish, it’s results that talk and it doesn’t take long for respect and legend status to be thrown out the window.
Alan
The stupidity mounts. This will be a disaster. But at least by then he’ll have the chance to learn his trade in the first division.
Rufus Wedderburn
How can we say if we want him to be boss or not, sentimentality tells me yes, but common sense says no as he has no experience as a football manager. But it is possible he would make a great manager, and it is just as possible that he would ruin his legend status. His risk as much as ours.
Ryan Hodgson
No, I wouldn’t like Shearer to take over from Souness because it would be too big a risk for him and the club.
Mel
Thanks to everyone who wrote in.