Source: Daily_Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Shearer back at BBC after Newcastle snub: Ashley can't find buyer for troubled Toon
Alan Shearer has confirmed that he will be back at the BBC next season and will not return to St James' Park to resume his role as manager of relegated Newcastle United.
On a poignant weekend when fans paid tribute at the stadium to former manager Sir Bobby Robson, the club he loved slid into a deeper crisis as it became apparent club owner Mike Ashley is now unlikely to find a new buyer.
Shearer, whose eight games in charge failed to prevent relegation, confirmed he will see United kick-off their opening Championship match at West Bromwich next Saturday from a BBC studio as a TV pundit.
'At this moment that's what I'll be doing, talking about the match which is live on television,' he said.
'Of course, things can change but I've heard nothing from anybody at Newcastle. I've another year of my BBC contract and obviously I've got to think about the future.'
Although Keith Harris, chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce, is negotiating with an unidentified foreign buyer thought to be a financial services company, sources close to the deal admit there is a strong possibility it may not go through.
Harris, appointed by Ashley to find a buyer, returns from holiday next week. But discussions with the potential buyer have been slow and there are growing doubts about the deal. The club are hampered by a wage bill that last year cost £65million and although Michael Owen has moved to Manchester United, there are still at least eight players on more than £65,000 a week.
Projected income for next season is not expected to cover wages and although Harris has dismissed the prospect of going into administration, the inability to sell highly-paid players is a stumbling block.
Caretaker boss Chris Hughton will be in charge at The Hawthorns, barring a dramatic breakthrough in sale negotiations.
Harris was not concerned by the withdrawal of the Profitable Group last week as they were not seen as serious bidders but unless the anonymous foreign buyer shows intent soon, Newcastle will spend another season under the reluctant ownership of Ashley.
