The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has revealed why ambassadorial roles for Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan are yet to materialise under the new regime.
Following the takeover 12 months ago, Amanda Staveley insisted that the club were eager to get Toon legends back involved, exploring an avenue Mike Ashley completely shut down during his 14 years on Tyneside.
The Telegraph confirm that Shearer and Keegan did hold talks with the new owners, but discussions over ambassador roles quickly cooled for a couple of reasons.
It’s believed the financial packages on offer to both were well below what they expected – an early sign that PIF weren’t about to throw mega money around like the “richest club in the world.”
Edwards also explains that Shearer was reluctant to be attached to Newcastle United for the sake of his role in punditry, feeling his ability to speak freely about his boyhood club would be compromised – especially on Match of the Day – if he was on the payroll at St James’ Park.
Here’s a snippet from The Telegraph, explaining why background roles for both came to nothing after talks:
‘Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan did talk to the new owners about getting involved. Both are understood to have had their reservations.
‘Telegraph Sport understands that ambassador talk cooled quickly when it became clear there would not be anything like the sort of financial package offered you might expect from the “richest club in the world”.
‘Privately, there was also a desire to maintain independence, particularly with Shearer’s role as a prominent television pundit. On that basis, this promise has not materialised.’
If true, it’s a shame that money – or the lack of it – played a big part for two local legends like Shearer and Keegan, although you can see why the former may have his reservations if it compromised the successful career he’s built as a pundit?
