Silence keeps Shearer’s options open

Sep 9 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

ALAN Shearer has not ruled out the possibility of working for Mike Ashley again as Newcastle United manager despite the immense frustration he has felt this summer.

Although Shearer’s close friend Rob Lee intimated this week that Shearer was fed up with waiting for the job to be offered to him after last season’s eight-game stint, the former Magpies skipper remains keen to take on the challenge of guiding United back into the Premier League. And, while his relationship with Ashley and Newcastle’s managing director Derek Llambias has been soured by the constant confusion and speculation surrounding the still unresolved takeover saga, there is a chance Shearer will return to St James’s Park even if the club is not sold.

The Journal understands that Shearer has not ruled anything out at this stage and his public silence on the issue is a calculated attempt to keep every option open to him. Shearer knows he will be instantly offered the manager’s job if his friend Barry Moat finally completes a protracted takeover bid, but he could also accept the job if Moat is offered a place on the board and Ashley stays as owner.

The damage done is not irreversible and both men are pragmatic enough to realise it could be in their interests to settle their differences amicably in order for Newcastle to continue the vast improvements overseen by caretaker manager Chris Hughton. Discussions between Moat and Ashley have resumed this week and it is interesting to note they are talking face to face with no sign of any animosity despite the weeks of delays and broken deadlines.

The biggest stumbling block remains the size of United’s overdraft with Barclays Bank, but the chances of a breakthrough have been significantly

enhanced by the size of Newcastle’s crowds this season.

Moat’s business plan was based on crowds of around 25,000 in the Championship, which means he has new leverage with the bank who want to slash the £30m overdraft offered to Championship clubs to just £10m.