Could Shearer Be Persuaded To Stay? – Apparently!
By Carys Baptist
November 10 2004
Newcastle United former coach Steve Clark has spoken about the chance he believes Newcastle have at keeping the captain at St James’ Park for yet another season.
Newcastle United former coach Steve Clark has spoken about the chance he believes Newcastle have at keeping the captain at St James’ Park for yet another season.
Clarke believes that depending on Shearer’s goal record this season he may be tempted to stay on.
"Alan is his own man and he will make his own decision. If he is playing and scoring goals in the Premier League, I think you could then persuade him to change his mind. He's a top professional. He will know when it is time to retire. If he decides it is this year then you have just got to respect his decision.
If he thinks he has got another year in him and Newcastle can persuade him to sign a new contract, it would be good for the club.
He's a strong personality and well respected in the dressing room and in the English game. I think he could make the transition from playing to coaching and managing very, very easily when he stops playing."
Clarke also sympathized with Souness and the task he has on his hands in rebuilding the faith of the Newcastle team and the fans by winning something and making the money put into the team worthwhile
"They need to win a trophy as they have invested a lot of money in the squad. It is a difficult job because I was there myself and the expectation of the board and the fans is very high
If they are putting so much money into the club, they think they should be getting something out of the other side."
Meanwhile Alan Shearer himself has been talking frankly about this seasons ambitions and just what we might have a chance of winning;
"Without being too pessimistic, I don't think we'll win the league from the position we're in at the moment,
More realistically, I think we have this, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. Whether we can win all three of them remains to be seen, but I think there's definitely a chance for us to win one with the team we have.
I know that everyone is thinking that way. We all know what the FA Cup means to the people up here, but I think even they're in a position now to say that we'd accept any piece of silverware.