Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Shearer dismisses return talk

28 Sep 2008 - 12:25:46

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Alan Shearer has distanced himself from rumours linking him with a return to Newcastle United.

Interim boss Joe Kinnear claimed on Friday that he was only remaining in charge of the Magpies before Shearer and Kevin Keegan returned to St James' Park.

However, when asked if there was any truth in the reports, Shearer said: "None whatsoever. I don't know where that's come from at all. I don't know what they're talking about.

"I was as surprised as anybody was that he (Joe Kinnear) was appointed. Judging by his interviews it looks like he's a little bit embarrassed himself.

"But it's a great opportunity for him - he's in a no-lose situation."

Meanwhile, reports suggest a South African consortium has expressed an interest in taking over from current owner Mike Ashley.

"We're serious about Newcastle. We believe they are an iconic institution that deserves to be run professionally," a spokesman for the South Africans said in the News of the World.

"Kevin (Keegan) is integral to our plans. We want Kevin to be fully committed to the team and we hope to find a role for Alan Shearer.

"We are not personalities. We like to be in the background, we need to be in the background."