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Alan Shearer explains what broke his heart about Mike Ashley’s Newcastle reign
It’s been quite the week for Newcastle United supporters, former players, and anyone with a vested interest in the club really. Mike Ashley has finally sold up, and the Toon Army can look forward to a brighter future.
The Magpies are now under the ownership of Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium. For Newcastle fans, it is a sense of relief and new hope in the northeast, with Ashley having been a divisive figure during his tenure.
One person who knows all things Newcastle pretty well is record goalscorer and former manager and striker, Alan Shearer. The former England skipper has never held back in his views on the ownership, either.
And in a passionate column for today, Shearer has admitted that one aspect of Ashley’s reign in particular left him feeling gutted.
“Ashley selling up is like an exhalation of breath. It is just relief. For some younger supporters, his is the only Newcastle they’ve ever known and that breaks my heart; it hurt so much to see the club surviving and nothing more,” Shearer .
“My pals and family and plenty of former teammates want to step back and reflect on the last wasted decade. We should be allowed to.”
All eyes at Newcastle are now on manager Steve Bruce. Without a win this season and under constant pressure from the fans, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss is widely expected to leave in the near future.
TBR’s View: Shearer to be involved with no Ashley at Newcastle?
We see this a lot with the biggest clubs in England. Liverpool and Man United often have club legends in and around the club, and City have started with it as well.
It would be no surprise to see Shearer involved down the line. Not as manager, but in some sort of role. Indeed, he’s already admitted contact with Staveley.
Shearer’s admission here is a gut-wrenching one really. Hopefully, those younger fans can now enjoy a better Newcastle United.