Shearer adds to Toon misery

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has poured fuel on the fire at Newcastle by claiming he would not take the manager's job under the current set-up.

The Magpies record scorer has once again been linked with the St James' Park hotseat following the resignation of Kevin Keegan.

Shearer told the BBC's Football Focus: "I would like to be a manager at some stage in my career, but that means controlling the players that go in and the players that go out. I don't think I would be comfortable working within a structure with a director of football who was picking and choosing the players for me."

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley had given former Leeds manager Dennis Wise - appointed executive director (football) - and Tony Jimenez, the club's vice president, control of the club's transfer policy.

Everton manager David Moyes and former Juventus coach Didier Deschamps have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites for the job, and Shearer feels the new man must be appointed quickly.

"I don't think there will be a shortage of people who want the job, but your guess is as good as mine," he said.

"I know the fans are very unhappy at the moment. They have voiced their opinions and they are more than entitled to do that because without the fans there is no Newcastle United.

"They are angry, hurt, and disappointed and everyone feels for them, me included because we all want the same thing - success at Newcastle United - because we are all supporters.

"It's going to be a big task for them because the fans are very angry.

"There are going to be a million names thrown around and they are going to have to make a decision quickly, before the next game."