There's only one Alan Shearer!

Alan Shearer is to manage Newcastle United for the last 8 games of the premier league soccer season.  Will he be the one to get real performance out of this team? Yes, I know it's April Fools day and that was the first thing that came into my mind at 7 o'clock this morning when I was given the news. The rumours started last night so it can't be can it?

Every other supporter other than us passionately loyal geordie supporters will probably laugh at this. Is it a sign of desperation or a very shrewd move on Newcastle owner, Mike Ashley's part. So Shearer has no managerial experience which could be vital as the Toon are fighting to avoid relegation to the Championship. Hey, this is football, when did common sense prevail when it came to choosing managers/coaches who have failure written all over their CV's but keep being hired because they are members of an exclusive club - ex-football players and no-one outside this club (with very few notable exceptions) could possibly do this job? Well he is a member of this club and hasn't failed yet so that must on this logic give him a chance.

What does he have? By virtue of his past record his mere presence will have a huge motivational effect not just on the supporters but the players too. He is loyal too (some may argue stupidly so) for not only choosing his home town club rather than Manchester United but staying there until he retired. From a sport psychology view, it will be this that will make the difference - if he can get the players to die out on the pitch before losing, then that will give Newcastle the best chance of avoiding relegation. At times like this passion, desire and work rate and a 'never give up attitude' will matter more than skill (and their weekly wages) - Shearer will give that to the players.

Shrewd? Yes, as Ashley will be seen as doing everything possible to avoid relegation. I have heard that he has great respect for Joe Kinnear, Newcastle's current manager who is recovering from major heart surgery and still has to be given the all clear by his doctors. From what I gather, he may be given the Director of Football role presumably replacing Dennis Wise who is not the most popular character on Tyneside (he was seen as being instrumental in Keegan's departure at the beginning of the season).

At worst we will go down fighting. The day is brighter already. Bring it on!


Keith

Keith Irving
iStadia