Can Shearer Lift Gloom from Toon?

It's the breaking news that could easily be mistaken for an early April Fool's joke; Alan Shearer has been appointed the Newcastle manager until the end of the season, with the punchline surely to follow

A true legend alongside the likes of MacDonald and Beardsley, Shearer's task will be to ensure the north-east giants do not fall through the Premier League trap door, and into the Championship.

Make no bones about it, Championship football for Newcastle United next season could prove disastrous. The current astronomic wage bill headed by the likes of Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen and the loss of a lucrative TV deal could cripple the club financially. Leeds United, Southampton and Charlton are just three clubs who can testify to that!

But whilst the Geordie nation will no doubt celebrate his long awaited arrival into the St.James' hot seat, much like they did the return of Kevin Keegan (and that didn't exactly go to plan), attention must be cast on his empty managerial CV. Since King Kev's departure there would not be a more popular choice on the terraces than Shearer, but can the man who scored over 140 goals for the Magpies win matches from the touchline just like he used to so often on the pitch?

With just eight remaining league games left, it won't take long before that question is answered.

You only have to look 30 miles down the road at Middlesbrough to discover great ex-players can't always transform their club's fortunes right away. At any other club Gareth Southgate might not still be in a job; but ultimately Steve Gibson's loyalty to his young manager could end up in tears. Roy Keane too at Sunderland left the club staring relegation in the face, but at least left at a time which allowed a new manager to save them. Shearer doesn't have the time that his ex-professional colleagues were afforded. Shearer has just under two months to save his club and his own hero status.

With Chelsea next at home, and tricky fixtures to come away at Liverpool and Tottenham, Shearer will need to get his team firing on all cylinders. It could all come down to the final day at Aston Villa as to whether Newcastle will retain their status as a Premier League club, and Shearer's status as an infallible Toon hero. But Shearer knows more than anyone what is on the line and what he's got himself into. His situation is black and white; Premier League survival, or Championship tragedy.

10 Things that Shocked us in 2008 (Football)

Theo 'Three-o' Walcott

The 19-year old Arsenal winger justified his inclusion in the starting line-up to face Croatia in Zagreb, netting a stunning hatrick. The Croats may still be crowing, but it is England who now have poll position in Group Six. Theo will be hoping for more in 2009, both for club and country.

Robbie Fowler's Premier League Return

12 years ago, 'Fowler joins Ince at Blackburn' would have been a sensational headline. Blackburn would be adding Britain's most deadly finisher to a team that already included one of the country's finest midfielders. Roll on 2008, and Ince is the new manager having done well at Mansfield and MK Dons, and Fowler has played jus xx games in xx seasons. His injury plagued season at Cardiff saw him turn down a new contract and jump ship to Blackburn. He is now a free agent, although he does still have Peter Ridsdale's phone number.

The FA Cup Final - Romance Returns

It was a breath of fresh air to see two unlikely teams at Wembley. It was the meeting of two of English football's most respected managers, Dave Jones and Harry Redknapp, and had the sub plot of England v Wales. Whilst the game was not a classic and settled by a scrappy first half Kanu goal, it was by far an improvement on Chelsea v.s. Man United the year before. The magic of the FA Cup returned in 2008. And onto my next selection...

Barnsley's Giant Killings

If it wasn't enough going to Anfield and humbling the five-times European Champions, Simon Davey's army of gallant men repeated the feat by slaying the Premier League Champions Chelsea. Kayode Odejayi leaped above Cudicini and headed in to give his team a historic win, leaving the Italian goalkeeper redfaced. But it was the striker's turn to look embrassed as he fluffed a great chance in the resulting semi-final with the goal gaping. The final was not to be.

Arsenal 1-2 Hull

Hull were one of the success stories of 2008, winning the Championship playoffs and settling into the Premier League with apparent ease. They have caused a few upsets in their maiden top flight season, but beating Arsenal at the Emirates stands out as an incredible result. Geovanni's goal was one to savour as the Tiger's roared to one of the greatest ever wins. Perhaps the Gunner's should resort to tranquilisers the next time they meet?

King Kev's Return to Tyneside

January saw one of the most sensational managerial returns in Premier League history as the Magpies welcomed home their very own King Kev. Signalled as 'the third coming', Keegan signed a three-and-half year contract. 8 months later, the prodical son resigned, and another episode in the trilogy doesn't seem likely.

Joey Barton getting yet another chance

How does this man still have a career in the 'beautiful game'? If he's not stubbing out a cigarette in his team mate's eye, he's giving them a full training pitch make-over. And you don't have to be a footballer to get the use of his services, as his viscous assault in late 2007 tesifies. Kevin Keegan saw fit to give 25 year old Barton another chance upon his release from prison. Undoubtedly a good player when his head is right, but these incidents are far too frequent and can affect the dressing room.

Rangers UEFA Cup run

Rangers defied the odds and reached the UEFA Cup final, even though they were eventually being beaten late on by Zenit St. Petersburg. But it is their remarkable run which impressed us all, knocking out Villareal, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina on the road to Manchester. Ultimately disappointing, Walter Smith and the 175,000 travelling fans could go back across the border proud of their achievement.

The phantom 'goal' at the Vic

Stuart Attwell, 25, became the youngest referee to ever officiate in the Premier League, but came under hot water after his role in a blunder described by many as the worst of all time. Atwell allowed Reading’s opening goal in their 2-2 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road after Nigel Bannister, an assistant referee, flagged for a goal. Bannister and Attwell failed to spot that the ball crossed the byline and not the goalline after a challenge between John Eustace, the Watford midfield player, and Noel Hunt, the Reading striker. Reading players didn't even appeal for the 'goal' but this didn't stop Attwell awarding it anyway. With refs like these, who needs enemies... (or friends in Reading's case)

Robinho to Man City

The Real Madrid misfit was targetted by Phil Scolari as Chelsea's main summer transfer target, but just when they thought they had their man, in came Man City and their super-duper-wealthy owners to literally Sheik things up. Madrid accepted City's record breaking offer of £35.5m, Robinho agreed terms, and Roman Abramovich for the first time ever had to resort to a plan B. It is believed that Robinho was left somewhat disappointed when he discovered there were infact two teams in Manchester.

Roy too Keane to leave?

Roy Keane as a player has never backed down from a challenge. When the going got tough you could always expect Roy to be in the thick of the battle, leading the troops from the trenches. That was as a player, and his autocratic style of leadership imposed as a captain for both club and country hasn't been accepted by Sunderland players.

The over-used phrase which pundits used to describe Keane was that of "a born winner". There is no doubting his desire to win; seven Premier League winner's medals pays testament to that. But winners simply do not get along with losers, and this season has provided Keane with a real stern test, the like of which he hasn't experienced as a footballer or during his time as Black Cats manager.

Maybe Keane fears a smudge on his glittering CV? Perhaps the honour-laiden Irishman just cannot adjust to working with players who would normally be cleaning his boots. (Dwight Yorke excluded of course!) There could also be truth in the claim that Roy Keane made himself about taking Sunderland as far as he can. That in itself is an impatient claim after just one and a half seasons in the Premier League, and one season ahead of schedule following their amazing promotion campaign! Who could have imagined Roy Keane would give up so easily?

The going has got tough at Sunderland, but the man so usually tough has got going.