Newcastle United confirm Alan Shearer as new manager
Apr 2 2009 by Sam Wood, The Journal
News of legendary striker's top job spread like wildfire
ANOTHER day at Newcastle United and another episode in football’s longest-running soap opera unfolds.
News that Alan Shearer had been unveiled as its new manager had spread like wildfire in the city yesterday.
But the fact the legendary striker’s date with what many had seen as his destiny as manager – April 1st – was as much the talking point as his imminent arrival.
The view of Sam Donovan, 21, sales assistant at the Back Page sports memorabilia shop within sight of St James’s Park, was typical.
He said: "A friend of mine rang up at 11 to say Alan Shearer was going to be the new manager. I thought it was an April fool’s joke.
"Everybody’s been checking and double checking just to make sure." But the concern of fans that they might become the butt of another joke, perhaps the cruellest of them all, were soon allayed and it was time for the ‘Toon disease’ to kick in – eternal optimism.
Despite being mired in the relegation zone, with no home wins since before Christmas and only one away victory at lowly West Brom this year, the arrival of Shearer has all but sealed Newcastle’s Premier league survival in the minds of many.
Sam said: "We’re in a desperate situation but we can now hope. If there’s anyone that can keep us up it’s Shearer. He’ll provide a massive lift and the crowd will be acting as the 12th man, more so than ever."
Andrew Teeder, 42, had travelled from his home in Stanley, County Durham, with daughter Aine, aged three, the moment he heard the news, to be at the ground.
As TV crews gathered outside St James’s Park and passing motorists sounded their horns in celebration, Andrew handed out posters of his hero, Shearer, free of charge to passers-by.
He said: "I wouldn’t be anywhere else. On Saturday against Chelsea the ground will be shaking. He loves the club and the fans love him. They idolise him. He’ll keep us in the Premiership. I’ve no doubt about that."
Beside him fellow fan Julie Cain, 46, of Byker, Newcastle, could barely contain her excitement. "I’ve been up all night since I heard the news. I couldn’t sleep, I can’t eat and I’m here now in the place I want to be."
Despite the euphoria of the moment, thoughts were already straying to the weeks and months ahead. It is reported that Shearer has only agreed to be manager until the end of the season.
The fans find that hard to believe and say if the club wants to progress his arrival must be made permanent and he be allowed to appoint his own team.
Julie said: "It would be great to have Shearer and Rob Lee as his right hand man. They’re our dream team."
There is still sympathy for Joe Kinnear who most felt should be kept on in some capacity – preferably replacing the unpopular Dennis Wise as executive director of football
And while owner Mike Ashley has gained some plaudits by managing to pull a rabbit out of the hat with his Shearer appointment at the 11th hour of this desperate season for Newcastle United, the fans we talked to hoped it would be his last act in charge of the Toon.
Sam said: "Hopefully this will keep us up and, if Shearer stays on, it will make it much easier for Ashley to sell the club. We need people who love the club and understand its attacking philosophy.
"Also, I wonder what role Michael Owen has played in Shearer coming back?
"They’re friends and I wonder if with Shearer here Owen will sign a new contract?"
Julie said: "The three people who made this club are Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer. The reason for their success is they understand what makes the fans tick. That’s what is needed now."
A snapshot of the rest of the country’s reaction was provided by Northumbria University students Richard Sharpe and James Simpson, both 19, and Frankie Starkey and Scott Roberts, both 20, who were at St James’s Park.
Frankie is a Hull City fan. He said: "I’m a bit worried, to be honest. I’m sure Shearer will get them an extra few points."
Meanwhile Richard is a Blackburn fan, now managed by former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and the club where Shearer won his one Premier League winners medal in the 1994/95 season.
Richard said: "When I heard the news I thought it could only happen at Newcastle United. Part of me wonders whether this is just another example of Shearer’s ego, riding to the rescue at the last minute and able to bail out at the end of the season if things go wrong. Time will tell."
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