Not only has Graeme Souness asked Alan Shearer to cancel retirement for a second year running and stay on at St James' Park, but there have been calls in some circles for the ex-England skipper to consider a return to international duty and go to the World Cup to partner Michael Owen. What Sven Goran Eriksson thinks of it, who knows?
But one thing is certain, Shearer will not do a "U Turn" a second time.
It's been called a blow to manager Graeme Souness, but surely he didn't think he could pull it off a second time.
Shearer, one goal short of equalling Jackie Milburn's record for the club, told The Sun: "As far as I am concerned, nothing has changed.
"I will retire at the end of the season ... and you can put that in writing. I will go to Germany, for sure, but only as part of the BBC team."