Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy has dismissed any idea of Alan Shearer being appointed to a role within the club.
When the new owners first took over at the club back in October, new director Amanda Staveley claimed that getting on the supporters’ good side and re-engaging with legends was going to be important as part of the new regime.
She mentioned that she had “texted with Alan [Shearer] a lot, and Kevin [Keegan]. They’re heroes. I’m so excited to be able to sit down with Alan – I hope he gets involved because it’s his club and it’s so important”.
That was a couple of months ago, and there hasn’t been anything concrete since then to suggest an appointment could be imminent. And speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters in response to a question from a fan, Kennedy discussed the possibility, but didn’t seem too convinced that he would leave his job as a pundit at the BBC to come back to St. James’ Park.
He said: “I’ve not heard that. It could be the case, but I’ve not heard anything on that.
“He’s on big money at the BBC as well, isn’t he? And it’s a pretty good gig that he’s got, he’s carved a real positive career for himself as a pundit, he’s excellent. So I’d be surprised if he walks away from that.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Kennedy’s comments about Alan Shearer at Newcastle United…
How many players do Newcastle need to sign?
Five or less?
More than five?
Whilst bringing in a club legend like Shearer could certainly provide a morale boost to Newcastle fans – especially given the way some legends were treated under former owner Mike Ashley – it isn’t really the most important thing that the club could be doing right now.
Aside from the situation Shearer is in now and whether or not he’d want to leave, as Kennedy hints at, given that the club are in the middle of a relegation battle, the focus shouldn’t be on placating the fanbase with symbolic gestures by giving ex-players roles within the club, unless it’s something that could help them on the pitch.
If the Magpies are able to survive this season, then it might be a good idea to go through a strategy of building a new era at the club during the summer when they are able to properly invest and make moves to build on their ambitious plans, but right now, they should be focusing on the transfer window rather than these kinds of gestures.
In other news: ‘He’ll be one of the first names out’ – Kennedy tips £40k p/w ace for January exit from NUFC