Shearer confirmed as Newcastle boss

Premier League:Newcastle's record goalscorer Alan Shearer is to return to the club as manager for the remainder of the season. The Magpies are currently 18th in the Premier League, two points from safety with eight matches remaining to secure their top-flight future.

Shearer will take over from caretaker boss Chris Hughton, who himself was standing in for Joe Kinnear who is recovering from heart bypass surgery.

Shearer will be assisted by former Southampton team-mate and ex-QPR manager Iain Dowie.

Hughton and Colin Calderwood will continue their coaching roles with the first team.

"Everyone at Newcastle United is absolutely delighted that Alan has taken on this challenge," said managing director Derek Llambias.

"Already there is a buzz around the club and the city. The news has given everyone a massive boost."

Shearer, who has completed all but one of his coaching badges and is still to gain his Fifa Pro Licence, will hold his first training session with the squad tomorrow morning.

He will then be officially unveiled at a press conference at St James' Park in the afternoon.

Newcastle managers since 1997

Kenny Dalglish(1997-98): The Scotland legend claimed three league titles with Liverpool and one with Blackburn, but could not repeat his success at St James' Park. Having taken over from Keegan halfway through the 1996/97 season, he led them to second place and a Champions League berth, but it was all downhill from there as they laboured to 13th the following term and a losing FA Cup final appearance.

Ruud Gullit(1998-99): Dutchman Gullit took over at the start of the 1998/99 campaign and took them to the final of the FA Cup. However, he fell out with the iconic Shearer and was sacked just days after leaving the striker out of his starting line-up.

Bobby Robson(1999-2004): Former England manager Robson helped Newcastle negotiate a tricky start to the 1999/2000 season before going on to lead them back into the Champions League, thanks to the second of three consecutive top-five finishes — although they were unable to progress past the qualifying rounds. But third was as good as it got for Newcastle under Robson, who failed to end the club's long trophy drought and was sacked at the start of the 2004/05 season.

Graeme Souness(2004-2006): Having taken Blackburn back into the Premier League and to League Cup success, the former Liverpool man left Lancashire to take the reins at St James' Park. However, despite a positive start including appearances at both the UEFA Cup and FA Cup semi-finals, results began to slide. Bust-ups with senior players including Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert did not help the Scotsman's cause and he was dismissed in early 2006.

Glenn Roeder(2006-2007): Initially appointed in a caretaker role with Alan Shearer as an assistant, Roeder turned the Magpies' season around which earned him the role permanently. But despite winning silverware, albeit the Intertoto Cup, an inconsistent second season led to Roeder's resignation.

Sam Allardyce(2007-2008): Having been linked with the role on numerous occasions thanks to his exploits at Bolton, Allardyce finally landed the job with the fans harbouring big expectations. However, the fans were not impressed with their side's new style of football and he lasted just eight months, being sacked in early 2008 with Newcastle sitting 11th in the Premier League.

Kevin Keegan(2008): Mike Ashley shocked the football world by negotiating the return of Keegan to the north east. After a disappointing start, results slowly began to improve. But in September 2008 Keegan resigned, citing a lack of control over player purchases. Unhappy fans took to St James' to voice their anger over Keegan's departure.

Joe Kinnear(2008-2009): Appointed on an interim basis initially, Kinnear was a surprise choice having been out of management for almost four years since leaving Nottingham Forest. A series of steady, if unspectacular, results led to Kinnear being put in charge until the end of the season. But hours before Newcastle's game with West Brom in February, Kinnear was taken to hospital and has since been recovering from heart surgery with Chris Houghton in charge of team affairs.