Llambia: Shearer the 'perfect' choice

Alan Shearer walked into talks with Mike Ashley on Tuesday to be told the Newcastle manager's job is his if he wants it.

The Magpies owner is ready to hand the 38-year-old a four-year contract and unveil him as the club's new figurehead later this week.

Managing director Derek Llambias said: "We want him to be the manager 110%. He's very good at what he does and he's a straight-talking guy - we like that. He would be the perfect appointment."

However, Shearer headed into the discussions with Ashley and Llambias with his own agenda and seeking assurances over the way he would want to carry out the role.

But as the three men sat down to thrash out the way forward after a season which ended in humiliation and relegation from the Barclays Premier League, the former Newcastle and England skipper at least knew he was a wanted man.

Llambias added on after the meeting: "Talks will start today and we are going to review the situation.

"We are trying to sort something and we will give the public some information as soon as possible.

"Alan has put a lot of work into the job at Newcastle and we are talking to him now."