Alan Shearer shares how he feels towards Mike Ashley

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Speaking on the BBC Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast, Alan Shearer has been speaking about his return to Newcastle United as a manager.

The Match of the Day boys were tasked with ranking the 10 greatest Premier League returns of all time, and as you can imagine, Shearer’s return to St James’ Park as a manager in 2009 was on the list.

Shearer didn’t have the best memories from his time as gaffer, but he did say that he almost stayed on as gaffer for the next season.

However, despite seemingly agreeing terms to become the permanent Newcastle manager, Shearer never heard back from Mike Ashley, and he’s now shared his feelings towards the Magpies’ owner 12 years later.

What’s been said?

Shearer told the tale of his Newcastle snub.

“We had the meeting on Tuesday morning, we finished late on the Tuesday afternoon and we agreed, said see you on Thursday to announce it. Then I got a call to say there was a problem with the bank and they’d be in touch. What is it? 12 years later I’m still waiting for the call!” Shearer said.

“No, I never got the call, the secretary called, said there’d been a problem with the bank.”

“Did you never hear from him again? No call to say what’s happening?” Gary Lineker asked.

“No, I’ve not spoken to him since, never,” Shearer replied.

“He’s still there, I think he’s trying to sell it, but are you bitter towards him? You’d be entitled to be,” Lineker probed.

“No. I’m not bitter, you have to just learn that stuff happens in football and you have to move on with it. I think I’m in a better and more relaxed place now with what we do,” Shearer concluded.

What could have been

We’re left to ponder what could have been if Alan Shearer had been the permanent Newcastle manager.

The England legend could have been a revolutionary tactician for all we know. After all, his analysis in Match of the Day is excellent, or he could have taken Newcastle even lower.

In the end, the Tyneside outfit opted to appoint Chris Hughton who took them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2010, and Shearer never took up another job.

It’s a shame because Shearer has the personality and the playing experience to be a great manager, but for one reason or another, it was never meant to be.