Michael Owen has warned Newcastle United's hierarchy that only Alan Shearer can save the troubled club after confirming his St James's Park exit.
Owen is searching for a new employer after four years at Newcastle, during which time he played under SEVEN different managers.
The last of those was his former United strike partner Alan Shearer, who couldn't stop the club dropping out of the Pre
mier League on the final day of last season.
While Owen is now being touted around Europe – with his representatives having produced an already infamous brochure detailing his achievements – he is still concerned with events at managerless Newcastle, where Shearer is still waiting in the wings.
And the 29-year-old is adamant that only Shearer can rebuild a club which has consumed some of the biggest names in management, despite his inexperience.
"I'd like to think Alan will be given the job," said Owen.
"He's obviously a new manager learning his trade, and he's got to start somewhere, but the indications that I saw were that he's going to be a top manager in years to come.
"Obviously, he's Newcastle through and Newcastle, and that's important to the people of Newcastle.
"It's a club that not many people understand, I would suggest, but he understands it, and he's certainly got the right credentials. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be given the manager's job."
Talks with Shearer – who took charge for the final eight games of last season – have been put on hold while owner Mike Ashley attempts to sell the club after a disastrous two years at the helm.
And the club's players could yet return to pre-season training on July 1 without a manager being in place.
