Up or down, Shearer’s ready to stay on

May 24 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

ALAN SHEARER is ready to stay on as Newcastle manager even if the Magpies are relegated today, he made clear last night.

Only a lack of assurances from owner Mike Ashley over his potential spending power and the future ownership of the club will make Shearer decide against taking the United job on permanently.

But the prospect of a takeover of the club involving former chairman Freddy Shepherd is an incentive for Shearer to remain in the Newcastle dug-out.

The Geordie legend will hold talks with Ashley on Tuesday, but has already told friends that, all things being equal, he wants the Magpies’ manager’s job full-time.

And, in his clearest hint yet on his future, Shearer last night insisted his decision does NOT depend on whether Newcastle go down.

Defeat at Aston Villa or unfavourable results elsewhere this afternoon will condemn Shearer to failure in his bid to keep United up.

But he has been so invigorated by the challenge of saving his hometown club that he WILL stay on if promised the tools to rebuild the Newcastle squad – in or out of the Premier League, and with or without Ashley on board.

Asked if United’s fate today will affect his decision whether to stay on this summer or leave, Shearer said: “Probably not.”