Alan Shearer Becomes Newcastle United Manager

The fairytale story that had at one point looked like a distant dream became reality for Newcastle United fans on Tuesday night, as Alan Shearer was confirmed as the new manager of the North East club.

After constantly furthering himself from the job, the former England captain has finally wilted to the wishes of both Mike Ashley and the ardent Geordie supporters, as "the prodigal son" returns to St James' Park.

Shearer will take charge of the side up until the end of the season at least, as he attempts to guide his team away from a relegation zone they have occupied since their last league defeat at home to Arsenal.

Under the reigns of Chris Hughton, the Magpies had struggled to pick up any sort of points as they edged further toward the bottom three with the former Spurs coach picking up just one win since taking over from the ill Joe Kinnear.

Kinnear had hoped to return as soon as next week, but with Shearer now taking over the team on the pitch, the former Wimbledon manager is expected to become a director at the club in the near future, due to his unpredictable health.

With the club in such a desperate situation, Shearer's introduction will come as a welcome relief for the fans and a boost to a squad that was starting to contemplate next season in the Championship.

Shearer's success with the club is by no means a given, and with his first task being one of the toughest he'll experience as Newcastle manager, we're sure to find out the managerial credentials of the club's record goal-scorer.

In terms of qualifications, Shearer doesn't quite match up with many of his Premiership counterparts, but don't expect that to be an issue in the short term as Gareth Southgate found out when he became manager of Middlesbrough in the summer of 2006.

Boro argued that the defender hadn't had time to complete the sufficient qualifications due to his playing commitments having gone straight into management following his retirement—a situation that Shearer can’t relate to, having retired in the same summer as Southgate nearly three years ago.

With the end of the season in sight, the Premier League Board are expected to allow Shearer the time to get the necessary qualifications while the board will need assurance that by the new season he abides by the rules fully.

Shearer staying on till next season is no given either, with his future sure to be subject to the club's survival.

With Shearer’s nonexistent experience, apart from a short stint as assistant to Glen Roeder at the back end of his time at St James’ Park, is this appointment a crazy one?

My belief is that it will turn the club's fortunes around, in the short term at least.

Shearer’s profile with the club and in football generally is so big that he’s bound to get plenty of support, but considering where the club are, and the pressure on his shoulders, it’s a daunting task.

Newcastle certainly weren’t going to stay up with Hughton at the helm, but with Shearer on board maybe there is a slight glimmer of hope that dreams of surviving relegation can become true.