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Kinnear opens door for Shearer role at Magpies

22/11/2008

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear says he would be happy to have former striker Alan Shearer involved with training at the club.

Shearer has been consistently linked with taking over as manager at the Magpies ever since he retired.

However, both former chairman Freddy Shepherd and current owner Mike Ashley have been unable to persuade him to return to the club.

Kinnear was appointed interim coach when Kevin Keegan left at the start of the season, with Ashley assuming that a new owner would want to install his own manager.

However, with a sale looking less likely to come before Christmas, Kinnear says he would welcome Shearer at the club for as many days a week as the former number nine wanted.

"I have the utmost respect for Shearer," Kinnear told the BBC's Football Focus programme.

"The door is always open and if he is listening to this interview he is more than welcome to learn his trade here."

Kinnear said he understood that Shearer may not want to be involved with the club at this stage due to the current situation off the pitch. But he felt it may benefit Shearer in the long run to get some experience before going into full-time management.

He added: "I would be delighted if he wanted to come here two days a week and see for himself what football is all about.

"From Alan's point of view he will be looking, more for the future than right now. Because right now is a difficult time to come in also in terms in injuries. Maybe he is biding his time."

Kinnear is reportedly set to have talks regarding his own future at the club following today's match against Chelsea.