Shearer totally focused on Newcastle United job
Apr 10 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
ALAN Shearer admits that Newcastle United’s relegation fight is consuming his life – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
United’s record goalscorer knew what he was letting himself in for when he agreed to take on the task of leading his boyhood club away from the Premier League relegation zone, but maintains that the hard work has been enjoyable.
Some critics had accused Shearer of being too comfortable on the Match of the Day sofas to consider risking his reputation in the furnace of management, but that clearly isn’t the case.
Having spent every waking hour mulling over selections and formations, he is now qualified to call himself a proper Premier League manager. Even with Iain Dowie in tow to lighten the load, Shearer knows that it is a 24/7 job.
“It’s everything I thought it would be – and a hell of a lot more,” he said. “You don’t know the ins and outs of a football club until you get inside it. There are one or two things I wasn’t aware of.
“I expected it to be intense and I haven’t been able to turn off from it – not at all.
“Bang goes your relaxing time – if anyone tells you they’re able to relax or switch off, I don’t believe them. I’ve not had time to switch off at all. But I’ve enjoyed it – I’ve not spent too much time in the house but it’s been good. Hard work, but good.
“It’s taking over every second of my thoughts, never mind minutes. I’m picking teams in my mind – 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2 or whatever . . . But it’s been great – I’ve enjoyed it.”
A rookie boss he might be, but few taking their first steps in management will be able to call on the pool of experience that Shearer can.
Just as he said he would, he has sought the counsel of former United managers Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish. And all have been united in welcoming him to the unique challenge that is football management.
“I’ve spoken to Kevin, Kenny, Bobby – I spoke to a few coaches as well. It was just the normal stuff – how’s it going and are you enjoying it, that kind of thing.
“They said to ring at any time and ‘Welcome to the mad house’ and all of that stuff. It was good chatting to them.”
While Shearer was happy to talk about his first full week in the job, he was less keen to discuss whether his initial experiences had encouraged him to take the role on a full-time basis.
“It’s time to put that debate to bed,” he said.
