SAM ALLARDYCE was having a “clear the air” meeting with Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort today after reports over the weekend that Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer were returning to the club.
The United boss woke up to headlines yesterday saying that arguably two of the greatest men in United’s history were wanted by the new regime.
And while he bit his tongue when asked about the situation, Big Sam made it clear all he wants is to be left alone to do the job he is well paid to do.
In the past week, all the talk down south was that United’s new owner Mike Ashley has asked Keegan to name his price to come back as director of football at St James’ Park with Shearer as his manager.
But not many people are taking this seriously, with Keegan running his Soccer circus in Glasgow and Shearer fully occupied with his job with BBC’s Match of the Day and his ambassadorial role with United and Umbro.
I have kept in touch with Shearer since he retired and he never wastes the opportunity to tell me he is currently living and loving his life to the full.
Yet there is little doubt that one day Shearer will be manager of his beloved Newcastle United but the earliest that is likely to happen is in two years’ time.
Allardyce has a three-year contract worth £9m and he is currently in a no-lose situation at St James’ Park.
But this could well be his last job in football and he understandably wants to make a success of it.
The last thing he wanted after today’s meeting is the dreaded vote of confidence from Mort, but the United hierarchy owe it to Allardyce to make some sort of statement.
Earlier this month, when he faced the media, Mort said: “Sam is a great appointment.
“Obviously he is not our appointment, but we have no problem with the role Sam has and we are sticking with him.”
The question of signings would obviously crop up at today’s meeting, but Allardyce’s plea to be given cash to strengthen his squad has not been helped by the way United have destroyed Celtic and Juventus in the last couple of days, with the club’s youngsters playing their full part in the absence of Michael Owen, Shola Ameobi, Joey Barton, Damien Duff, Emre, and Celestine Babayaro.
Allardyce’s only comment was: “I have no idea what the club’s thoughts are in that department.
“It hasn’t come up – but if it does I’ll make my views known in private.”
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