Our view: Newcastle already have their man
There's just one explanation for Sam Allardyce's sudden departure that makes any sense.
And that's that a successor has already been lined up by owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort.
Big Sam exits Newcastle
- Allardyce's reign at Newcastle ends.
- Sir Bobby 'stunned' by Allardyce axe.
- Shearer bookies' favourite for Newcastle job.
Why else would they act now with the clock ticking down on this month's transfer window?
I was at the club's training ground this afternoon for the pre-Manchester United Press conference, and Allardyce - clearly oblivious to what was to come - spoke at length about the game, and his plans for the transfer window.
The received wisdom that Allardyce - having survived a dismal festive period which brought one point from four games - would at least be given until the end of the season to put his ideas in place.
Allardyce hasn't had that luxury, and a little over seven months after a bright new dawn his appointment was supposed to herald, he has joined a long line of managers who have tried and failed to turn the club's fortunes around.
Sir Bobby Robson, of course, had more success than most, guiding Newcastle into the Champions League.
And Robson - at Kingston Park last night for United's reserve derby against Sunderland - had recently given Allardyce his full support, arguing he needed more time. It's difficult to disagree, and the club's hiring and firing of managers hasn't served it well since Sir Bobby's own departure.
The man whose Newcastle career Robson revived - Alan Shearer - is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Allardyce.
Shearer is understood to be out of the country at the moment, but will return to take on the most difficult job in football?
I spoke to Shearer about his managerial aspirations on a train to London last August, and he made it clear he was in no hurry to take on a job.
However, he said he had taken his A and B coaching badges, and had plans to take the UFEA Pro Licence needed to manage in the Premier League.
Does Shearer - having seen the club he served for a decade flounder over the course of a campaign - now feel the time is right?
Only time will tell.
Tellingly, Shearer was asked at a book launch earlier in the season why ruin his relationship with fans by coming back as manager, the implication that he would fail.
He fixed the reporter with a stare, and questioned why he would be doomed to fail. Why indeed?
Also, there won't be any shortage of top-level managers willing to take what was labelled an unmanagable club a long time ago.
Jose Mourinho was one name mentioned over the weekend, though AC Milan has always been seen as his managerial challenge.
In any case, United might already have their own Special One.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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