Shearer: Now it’s all about survial

Apr 3 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

ALAN Shearer knows he has put his reputation as a Newcastle United legend on the line by becoming the club’s manager, but he is adamant he could not sit and do nothing as the Magpies plummeted towards the Championship.

Shearer has already sparked United’s safety mission into life just by agreeing to lead the side for the last eight games of the season, but the club’s record goalscorer is keen for the hero-worshipping to stop.

The former captain fully appreciates the pressure he is under after taking on the responsibility of keeping the Magpies in the top flight and he wants to focus fully on the task which lies ahead.

He said: “I had a reputation as a player and that is gone. I am moving on to something different now and I will be judged over the eight games as every single manager is.

“Whether you like it or not, whether it is good, bad, pretty or ugly football, you are judged on results and I am no different. I am not coming into this with my eyes shut, they are well and truly open. I know what the stakes are.

“I have not taken it for me. I could have been sat on the sofa on Saturday (on Match of the Day) being analytical and critical. It is great, I love that job, I really do, but the opportunity is right and I believe I can help the football club get out of position they are in at this moment in time.”

With United’s players responding positively to Shearer’s arrival on the training ground yesterday, Newcastle’s survival hopes suddenly look far healthier than they have done at any time this year.

That is down to the Shearer effect, but the 38-year-old is a little uncomfortable with all the praise as he urged everyone to focus their support on the players out on the pitch.

He said: “I would be daft to sit here and say I don’t understand it. I understand the clamour, I understand why the fans are outside and I understand why you guys (media) are here because it is myself and Newcastle United.

“But we have to get away from this Alan Shearer thing. It is not about me, it is about keeping this football club in the Premier League and I will be trying as hard as I can to get away from that.