Source: Eurosport
Magpies Still To Confirm Shearer Role
Newcastle fans are still eagerly awaiting the return of local hero Alan Shearer to St James' Park as manager.
Despite numerous reports, which began emerging on Tuesday night, there was no official confirmation from the club that their record goalscorer was to take over team affairs until the end of the season.
Groups of supporters milled around the stadium throughout the day in anticipation of the former Newcastle striker being named the struggling club's fourth manager this season.
However, as time passed it became apparent the ex-England captain would not be making an appearance, although his appointment is likely to be announced on Thursday as he is believed to still be thrashing out his terms.
Shearer is reportedly bringing in former Southampton team-mate and ex-QPR boss Iain Dowie as his assistant, while his previous criticism of the structure of the club casts doubt over the future of Dennis Wise.
Wise's role as executive director (football) was a controversial appointment when it was made by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in January 2008 as part of an overhaul of the club's internal hierarchy.
Shearer is likely to get his way as Ashley is desperate for someone to come in and galvanise the squad to keep them in the Premier League.
Newcastle have slipped into the bottom three, two points adrift of safety, and have won just once since caretaker boss Chris Hughton took over after Joe Kinnear, who was brought in when Kevin Keegan resigned in September, had to take a back seat after a triple heart bypass.
The man who discovered Shearer as a youngster playing in Newcastle's junior leagues said the 38-year-old phoned him on Tuesday night to tell him the news.
Jack Hickson, 87, has remained friends with the striker since taking him for a trial at Southampton and told the Evening Chronicle: "He said he just felt he had to give what he could for Newcastle United.
"He just wants to do it out of love for the club. That is the point. He's passionate for the club and he wants them out of the mire.
"If he keeps them up he will become a hero all over again, but it is not an ego trip for him, he is doing it out of love."
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd welcomed the decision to bring in Shearer, who gained legendary status on Tyneside by scoring 206 goals in 404 appearances during a 10-year spell at his home-town club.
"It's great news. Newcastle are in a fight now, they're in the trenches, and I think Alan is the guy to carry on that fight," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
