Sir Bobby Knows The Right Man For The Toon Job!

Robson: "Owner Mike Ashley has a simple but important decision to make. Does he turn to local legend Alan Shearer, even though he is untested, or choose a man with experience, a safer option, such as Mark Hughes, Gerard Houllier or Martin Jol.

"Ninety-nine times out of 100, I would call for experience, Newcastle would normally be too big for a first-timer. But Shearer is different. He has the status and charisma of few other personalities in this country.

"I know Shearer hasn't been a manager before. But he is a unique case because of his standing in the city and the force of his personality. It's not his fault, but whoever takes the job will have his ghost on their shoulder because of the strength of feeling towards him in the North-East.

"Until he becomes manager, the Shearer factor won't go away. So why not silence everybody now?

"He is available, lives in the town and is an iconic figure. He doesn't have managerial experience but he does have plenty of big-match experience.

"If he comes out and wants the job, Newcastle should give him a chance. They cannot afford to be turned down again by someone like Hughes.

"I know most Geordie fans would like Kevin Keegan to come back so Alan could learn from him. But I don't see Shearer as anyone's No.2. If anybody came in, he would have to help Shearer rather than the other way round.

"Make Shearer boss or there is no point in having him."