Friday 5th September 2008
Shearer appointment will appease fans
Warren Barton thinks if Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is appointed manager of the club, angry fans will be appeased.
He also reckoned that anyone else who takes the job will be facing immense pressure and expectations from the fans as well as the board.
"Whoever takes over - apart from one person, Alan Shearer - is under immense pressure," said Barton.
Numerous names have been linked with the Newcastle hotseat but Shearer seems to be most popular and logical choice.
Barton felt that Keegan's long-standing relationship with the club and its fans, was what made him the ideal man for the job.
The 39-year-old went on: "Most importantly, Kevin knows that club. He knows what the fans, and the people in that area, want.
"He's stuck by certain players through thick and thin, and the players respect him.
"Now, he'll be very disheartened by what's happened, because he thought the club would allow him to go on and win things.
"He was hoping to get a large sum of money - that hasn't materialised.
"The owner is obviously a very wealthy man, but (Keegan) has been dictated to by certain people above him, and that's annoyed Kevin.
"Kevin's used to managing clubs - not necessarily finance and agents,he doesn't want to get involved with that - but he wants to get the players he wants, and to get the best out of them playing the style of football he wants, and he hasn't been allowed to do that."
Barton feels it's the fans who will suffer in the end.
"Eight months ago I was excited about Kevin Keegan taking over. We started to see signs of them doing well towards the end of last season, and they had a good performance at Old Trafford. They had a home win as well, and things were looking good.
"For one, I feel sorry for the fans, but I feel sorry for the players as well," he added.
Barton played under Keegan during his first spell as Newcastle manager in 1995 when he became the most expensive defender in English football.
