Magpies turn to Shearer

31 March 2009 22:52
Alan Shearer is to take over as Newcastle United manager for the final eight games of the season as the club battle to avoid Premier League relegation.[LNB] Sky Sports News revealed the story late on Tuesday night and Shearer is now set to be officially unveiled on Thursday morning. [LNB]Former boss Joe Kinnear - who is held in high regard by owner Mike Ashley - is currently recovering from triple heart bypass surgery and he was due to meet cardiologists next Monday to determine if he was fit to return to the touchline.[LNB]However, it has been suggested that he could now move to a role upstairs, possibly as director of football, as St James' Park legend Shearer, the top scorer in the club's history, takes charge.[LNB]The 18th-placed Magpies are battling Premier League relegation and are desperate for a morale boost, which Shearer's appointment will inevitably provide, in their battle to escape the drop zone.[LNB]Former England captain Shearer has been keen to enter into management and he was linked with the Tyneside hot-seat when former boss Kevin Keegan sensationally quit his second spell earlier in the season.[LNB]Newcastle, who were under the caretaker control of Kinnear's assistant Chris Hughton, face an unenviable run-in, and it has been suggested their fixture list provides the toughest test of all the teams attempting to survive in the top flight.[LNB]Shearer's first game will be Saturday's home meeting with high-flying Chelsea, before games against Stoke, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Liverpool, North-East rivals Middlesbrough, Fulham and Aston Villa.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports