Alan Shearer - Photo carltonreid CCA
Well, the headline rather says it all, doesn’t it? Either the News of the World have caught wind of an extraordinary exclusive, or they’re playing a game of ’say stuff’. Let’s read on, and see why they think that Alan Shearer is going to be the manager of West Brom:
ALAN SHEARER is ready to quit Newcastle and take over at West Brom.
Let there be no doubt, then - the News of the World is suggesting that Shearer would take the West Brom job. But why?
The Toon manager’s relationship with the club has reached breaking point after owner Mike Ashley put the club up for sale after they had crashed out of the Premier League.
It hasn’t though, has it? Eight games ago, he was here to save the club, despite some misgivings about Mike Ashley in the past. After relegation, Mike Ashley decided to sell the club, and Shearer said the following on June 1st, which had very few mentions of breaking points, and several about still wanting to be manager:
“I met Mike Ashley and [club managing director] Derek Llambias last week and we discussed at length the future of Newcastle United and my desire to be the manager moving forward,” Shearer said.
“I made no demands but there were obvious conditions. We simply proposed an honest evaluation of what was needed to get the club back into the Premiership, whilst building solid foundations for the future.
“I fully understand Mike Ashley’s decision to sell the club as he feels it’s now in the best interest of the club and the fans. I hope to know more by the end of the week.”
The News of the World plough on regardless:
And, last night, Shearer emerged as the shock favourite to replace Baggies boss Tony Mowbray, who is expected to move to Celtic this week. Once Mowbray’s departure is confirmed, negotiations will begin with the Shearer camp.
Mowbray - definitely not yet moved jobs - Shearer, a man with a job that he’s trying to secure formally and on a long term basis at his boyhood club - you know, the only club he’s ever really expressed any interested in managing - not probably thinking of jobs at other clubs. Also, how does one emerge as a ’shock favourite’ in a market which doesn’t exist? We checked this morning at Ladbrokes, William Hill, Betfair and Sky Bet, and found no opportunities to stick a bet on the next manager of West Brom. Just saying.
And Sport Of The World can reveal that the former England striker will listen favourably to any offer.
Alright. On probably the same amount of evidence, Sport without Spin can reveal that he won’t.
The Toon legend has been left frustrated by Newcastle’s failure to confirm him as manager and give him the time and resources to revive the club’s fortunes.
They are actively trying to sell the club - it’s a fairly turbulent time. We suspect that Shearer is probably capable of seeing that.
Two rival consortiums are interested in taking over Newcastle but any sale won’t be concluded until July - after Newcastle’s players return for pre-season training.
That’s not what Keith Harris, who’s orchestrating the deal, said on the BBC yesterday:
“I’m confident there will be offers to consider in quite short order,” said Harris, who expects a deal to be completed by the end of June.
And a final thought from a mystery source at the News of the World?
A source close to Shearer said: “The delay is damaging. It has been frustrating for Alan. He will not commit career suicide.”
What would upping and leaving Newcastle after eight games (after which they were relegated) for a club with less resources in the same division to which he has no attachment be considered as, then?
