Apr 01 2009
Alan Shearer To Become Newcastle United Boss
photo: carltonreid
Alan Shearer has been announced as interim replacement manager for Joe Kinnear, who is recovering from heart surgery, at Newcastle United. And I really can’t determine whether this is the right move for Newcastle, or if this is another Mike Ashley move that’s doomed to failure. On paper hiring a completely inexperienced manager, despite what they accomplished as a player, and one without even a UEFA Pro License at that, is a stupid decision. Especially considering Newcastle only have 8 matches to turn their form around, or else they face relegation from the Premiership.
But I have to think of Newcastle’s track record, and you know, Mike Ashley could have picked a much worse choice.
Look at what Kevin Keegan achieved just through basically riding his reputation as King Kev the Newcastle Messiah. The Toon Army was unstoppable for a while under Keegan, and I don’t think that had as much to do with his management ability, as much as he lifted player morale and supporter morale. Given Alan Shearer put in 10 years 303 appearances and 148 goals in a Newcastle shirt, I’m thinking the England legend should have just as warm a reception by supporters as Keegan had.
My only worry is that Ashley will mess up his second chance at crowd pleasing by letting Shearer go in some unfavorable fashion, the likes of Keegan, that almost caused Ashley to sell Newcastle. Because given how faithfully Newcastle supporters back their club, Ashley may need to make a quick escape if Newcastle get relegated.
