EPL: Reports: Shearer to be offered four-year deal

LONDON: Alan Shearer is set to be offered a four-year contract to stay on as manager of relegated Newcastle, according to reports in England.
Shearer's spell as interim manager ended with Toon's final game of the season at Aston Villa, but owner Mike Ashley was reportedly due to meet with the former England striker to discuss the terms of a permanent contract.

Ashley knows that Shearer's popularity among Newcastle fans and his standing in the game will be major assets as the long slog to restore the club's credibility and Premier League status begins in the close-season.

For the first time in 16 years, Newcastle are no longer a top-flight club, but Shearer has no intention of feeling sorry for himself.

The Newcastle legend, who took charge for the final eight games of the season after Joe Kinnear's heart surgery, met the squad for an end of season debriefing on Monday and reportedly told them there would a major overhaul of the playing staff if he stays.
"If I'm here next season, there are going to be big, big changes," the Times quotes him as saying.

Newcastle's annual wage bill is estimated at around STG74 million (RM416 million) and Shearer is willing to axe high-earning flops like Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Claudio Cacapa and Peter Lovenkrands, who are all out of contract.

Fabricio Coloccini, Geremi, Obafemi Martins, Alan Smith, Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez could also be sold.

Shearer added: "The problem this club has got is that the other Championship clubs have already started preparing regarding players and everything else.

"Newcastle are already lagging behind. The sooner a decision is made the better for everyone.

"We need to look at it with a clear head. I will give my opinion on what is wrong and what needs to be done."

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias made it clear that Ashley and his board have no qualms about giving Shearer the job permanently despite his lack of experience.

Llambias said: "We want him to be the manager 110 per cent. He's very good at what he does and he's a straight-talking guy -- we like that. He would be the perfect appointment.

"We are going to review the situation. We are trying to sort something and we will give the public some information as soon as possible.

"Alan has put a lot of work into the job at Newcastle and we are talking to him now." -- AFP

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