Alan Shearer’s future as Newcastle United manager will be decided by a group of bankers and accountants. Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards uncovers another bewildering turn of events at St James’s Park

No other manager, no matter how qualified they may appear, will be able to match his pulling power among the rank and file supporters who are perhaps needed more than ever before.

Not only that, but as manager he will also restore faith between fan and club, restoring hope that good can come from the darkness which has engulfed it.

Without that bond, why would any consortium want to risk buying the club? Newcastle’s value will triple if they are promoted straight back to the Premier League a year from now, but it is still a gamble.

Stay in the Championship or, worse still, slide even further down the Football League and it will be worth pennies.

An answer is anticipated from the accountants in the next 48 hours, but it could take until the end of the week for a final outcome to be known.

Shearer is relaxed about the prospect of working for a new owner.

He had been aware of Ashley’s intentions throughout the discussions that took place last week, but he is not relaxed about the size and significance of the task which hopefully lies ahead of him.

With so much needed to be done before the players return to pre-season training on July 1, precious time has already been lost.

A takeover could be completed in as little as four weeks, if the firm interest from one consortium turns into a concrete offer this week, but Shearer needs to know what he is working with now, not then. That is for the banks to decide.

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