Newcastle United fans will always associate Alan Shearer with his incredible goal-scoring ability. However, his brief time as manager is less memorable for most supporters.
Shearer returned to Newcastle at a crucial time when the team was fighting to avoid relegation with just eight games remaining. Unfortunately, the club was relegated that season but quickly returned to the Premier League under Chris Hughton. Despite managing other clubs after leaving the Magpies in 2010, Hughton has said that Newcastle “is always with him,” reflecting the lasting impact the club had on him.
Shearer’s managerial stint was hindered by a lack of time and resources, despite having notable players like Michael Owen still in the squad. Today, Shearer works as a pundit and has praised Eddie Howe for the tactical improvements that have lifted Newcastle out of a rough patch this season.
Although Shearer’s time as a manager is often seen as forgettable, one player who could have made a significant difference during that period was Mark Viduka. Viduka, signed by Sam Allardyce in 2007, had his time at Newcastle cut short due to injury. He played under Kevin Keegan as well, alongside players like Owen and Obafemi Martins.
Viduka was injured when Shearer took over as manager but was still seen as a key figure in the fight against relegation. In a 2022 interview with Michael Bridges for Optus Sport, Shearer reflected on Viduka’s attitude: “He was left on the scrapheap, injured, and was almost written off. But his attitude was incredible, and by the end of the season, he was fit and ready to contribute.” Shearer believes that had he arrived at Newcastle a month earlier and had Viduka in better shape, the team would have stayed up.
Bridges agreed, highlighting Shearer’s faith in Viduka’s abilities, saying, “Alan Shearer believed Mark Viduka alone could have single-handedly kept Newcastle up.” Viduka’s time at the club may have been short, but he still left a lasting impression, making 38 appearances and scoring seven goals. In 2022, he was named to the Australian Team of the Century and continues to inspire young players like Garang Kuol, Newcastle’s rising Australian talent.
Shearer has also praised current star Alexander Isak, who has impressed with his form. Shearer referred to Isak as “world-class” after his brace in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Southampton. With 19 goals and five assists this season, Isak is steadily closing in on Shearer’s Premier League goal tally, now sitting at 48, exactly 100 behind Shearer’s total for the club.
Newcastle is now hoping to secure Isak’s future by offering him a new contract that would make him the club’s highest-paid player and allow him to wear the iconic number nine shirt that Shearer made famous during his ten years at the club.
Alan Shearer names the player he believes would have single-handedly kept Newcastle United up in 2009
