Shearer 'more than welcome' to join Newcastle's coaching team

JOE KINNEAR has added momentum to speculation surrounding Alan Shearer's return to Newcastle United by saying the striker would be "more than welcome" to join the club's existing coaching team.

Shearer continues to be linked with the manager's post at Newcastle and the likelihood of him stepping into the dug-out at St James' Park increased this week after his former team-mate and close friend Rob Lee said the Match of the Day pundit would take the job "tomorrow" if it was offered to him with the right terms.

That would mean replacing Kinnear, who continues to manage Newcastle on an interim basis and has made it clear he wants the job on a long-term basis. In an obvious attempt to appease supporters, he told the BBC's Football Focus in an interview scheduled to be broadcast this afternoon that he would be willing to work with Shearer should the local hero decide to return to the club where he scored 206 goals in 404 appearances.

"I have the utmost respect for Shearer," said Kinnear. "The door is always open and he is more than welcome to learn his trade here. I would be delighted if he wanted to come here two days a week and see for himself what football is all about. From Alan's point of view he will be looking more for the future than right now because right now is a difficult time to come in, also in terms of injuries. Maybe he is biding his time."

A change of manager at Newcastle, who visit Chelsea today, remains unlikely while the ownership of the club remains in the balance. The incumbent owner, Mike Ashley, is still looking to sell but despite gathering interest from a US consortium a deal remains some distance off.

In such circumstances it is perhaps not surprising Kinnear is planning for the long-term and yesterday he revealed he has pinpointed two targets for the January transfer window. One, he said, is currently out of favour at Roma while the other has already scored against Newcastle this season.

"I know their agents and what they would be is loan deals from January until the end of the season," the 61-year-old said.

Guardian Service