Shearer warns Toon of long and hard season

Aug 9 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Shearer said his own discussions with Ashley had not progressed since the end of last season, which saw Newcastle relegated from the Premier League.

"As far as I’m aware the club’s up for sale, they haven’t got a buyer," Shearer said on Football Focus.

"My last conversation with Mike Ashley was on the Tuesday after we’d been relegated.

"I told him the players I wanted to keep, the players I thought had to be moved on, and the players I wanted to bring in.

"He said he wasn’t going to put any more money into the club, and that is it as far as I’m aware."

Tyneside businessman Barry Moat is a candidate to buy the club, and Shearer admitted Moat – who helped organise the former Newcastle striker’s testimonial – is a good friend.

"He’s a friend of mine but I’ve been away on holiday and just got back in last night," said Shearer.

"I could be the manager if someone comes in, buys the club and wants me as manager.

"If they want to get the club back up to the Premier League I’d dearly love the chance to finish what I started last season, which was very disappointing."