Mike Ashley's price too high for bidders

Jul 6 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

But with Ashley not yet knowing who he will sell to – never mind whether the deal has been completed – he has been unwilling to foist a manager on his successor.

Until then Shearer must sit on his hands, unable to do more than draw up wish-lists of players which reportedly include Manchester United’s Fraizer Campbell and Manchester City’s Ched Evans and hope to be appointed before his targets lose patience and move elsewhere.

Ashley has also been understandably reluctant to sell players but, with the Magpies continuing to pay big wages they can ill afford, they are now actively trying to offload Obafemi Martins and Fabricio Coloccini with Shearer’s blessing.

The danger remains that Shearer could reach the end of his tether and take a job elsewhere.

At the weekend he was again linked with former club Southampton – who will also have to find new owners before they can proceed – while his predecessor Joe Kinnear again pitched for the United job.

“Mike (Ashley) knows I’m still available,” said Kinnear.

“I’m not sure how far down the road they are to selling it.

“If they don’t and haven’t got anyone else, then I’d love to return.”

Departing captain Owen has backed his friend and former strike partner Shearer for the job, but urged whoever it is to keep as much of last season’s squad as possible intact.

“Hopefully Alan will take the job and it’ll start coming back for them,” said Owen, who joined Manchester United on Friday on a two-year deal after his St James’s Park contract expired three days earlier.

“Even just in the few weeks that he took over everyone can see there’s something there and he’ll be a success in management.

“He’ll be great for Newcastle to have. He’s got a real feeling and passion for the club and that’s what they need at this time.

“I’d like to think whether the owner stays on or a new owner comes in they’d keep a lot of the better players.

“It’s a massive club and hopefully they can get back up.”