Shearer warns: We could do a Leeds

May 25 2009 By Mark Douglas, The Journal

ALAN Shearer has warned that Newcastle United could replicate Leeds' dramatic fall from grace unless Mike Ashley takes "big decisions" and initiates a root and branch overhaul of the club.

A tame United surrendered their Premier League status after Damien Duff’s unfortunate 38th-minute own goal at Villa Park, and Shearer confessed afterwards that the club could have few complaints about relegation.

The United caretaker manager has been unable to inspire a turnaround in the club’s fortunes in his eight-game spell, which ended yesterday. But he remains the choice of both owner Ashley and the supporters to take over permanently from Joe Kinnear.

The pair will meet this week to discuss the way forward with Shearer looking for assurances that investment will be made in the club – and that Ashley will not attempt to broker a quick sale after this dreadful season.

Otherwise he can foresee the same kind of downward spiral that has seen the once mighty Leeds scrapping in the third tier of English football.

"I think a lot of people will try to make a comparison (to the situation at Leeds)," said Shearer.

"It depends on where people want the football club to go.

"The reality is that we will be starting next season in the Championship. The expectation will be huge, but there’s a lot of work needed between now and then.

"There are huge problems at the football club – I think that’s clear for everyone to see. Relegation isn’t about today, it’s about what’s gone on this season, last season and the season before. It’s a culmination of everything. In the end, the three worst teams go down and, unfortunately, Newcastle are one of them." Clearly, a radical overhaul will take place this summer – with United desperately trying to trim their wage bill of nearly £80m to try to offset the loss of Premier League revenue.