Alan Shearer's expected return to St James' Park in a temporary managerial role is owner Mike Ashley's final throw of the dice as he tries to keep his club in the Barclays Premier League.
The Magpies have yet to confirm the appointment, but their record goalscorer is set to take charge for the remaining eight matches of the season.
Newcastle have slipped into the bottom three and are two points adrift of safety, having won just one match since caretaker boss Chris Hughton took over when Joe Kinnear had to take a back seat after a triple heart bypass.
Ashley will be hoping the decision to bring in Shearer will galvanise the team, which has struggled for most of a season - starting under the leadership of Kevin Keegan, who resigned in September after just eight months in charge.
The arrival of Shearer, reportedly bringing in former Southampton team-mate and ex-QPR boss Iain Dowie as his assistant, also casts further doubt over the future of Dennis Wise.
Wise's role as executive director (football) was a controversial appointment when it was made by Ashley in January 2008 as part of an overhaul of the club's management structure.
Shearer, linked with a return to the club in a coaching capacity when Keegan took charge for a second time, has been critical of that set-up - and it is believed he will be given full control over team affairs when he takes over.
The man who discovered Shearer as a youngster playing in Newcastle's junior local leagues said the 38-year-old had phoned him last night to tell him the news.
Jack Hickson, 87, has remained friends with the striker since taking him for a trial at Southampton and told the Evening Chronicle: "He said he just felt he had to give what he could for Newcastle United.
"He just wants to do it out of love for the club. That is the point. He's passionate for the club and he wants them out of the mire.
"If he keeps them up he will become a hero all over again. But it is not an ego trip for him - he is doing it out of love."
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd welcomed the decision to bring in Shearer, who scored 206 goals in 404 appearances during a 10-year spell at his home-town club.
"It's great news. Newcastle are in a fight now - they're in the trenches - and I think Alan is the guy to carry on that fight," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
As news spread around the city, a steady stream of fans arrived at St James' Park hoping for a glimpse of their hero.
He is not expected to be formally unveiled until tomorrow, but even talk of his return has lifted spirits on Tyneside.
Another former Newcastle favourite, midfielder Mick Martin, said: "I'm delighted; it's a good move. We're struggling to say the least, and getting Alan involved is a huge boost for the team and the area."
Newcastle have slipped into the bottom three and are two points adrift of safety, having won just one match since caretaker boss Chris Hughton took over when Joe Kinnear had to take a back seat after a triple heart bypass.
Ashley will be hoping the decision to bring in Shearer will galvanise the team, which has struggled for most of a season - starting under the leadership of Kevin Keegan, who resigned in September after just eight months in charge.
The arrival of Shearer, reportedly bringing in former Southampton team-mate and ex-QPR boss Iain Dowie as his assistant, also casts further doubt over the future of Dennis Wise.
Wise's role as executive director (football) was a controversial appointment when it was made by Ashley in January 2008 as part of an overhaul of the club's management structure.
Shearer, linked with a return to the club in a coaching capacity when Keegan took charge for a second time, has been critical of that set-up - and it is believed he will be given full control over team affairs when he takes over.
The man who discovered Shearer as a youngster playing in Newcastle's junior local leagues said the 38-year-old had phoned him last night to tell him the news.
Jack Hickson, 87, has remained friends with the striker since taking him for a trial at Southampton and told the Evening Chronicle: "He said he just felt he had to give what he could for Newcastle United.
"He just wants to do it out of love for the club. That is the point. He's passionate for the club and he wants them out of the mire.
"If he keeps them up he will become a hero all over again. But it is not an ego trip for him - he is doing it out of love."
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd welcomed the decision to bring in Shearer, who scored 206 goals in 404 appearances during a 10-year spell at his home-town club.
"It's great news. Newcastle are in a fight now - they're in the trenches - and I think Alan is the guy to carry on that fight," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
As news spread around the city, a steady stream of fans arrived at St James' Park hoping for a glimpse of their hero.
He is not expected to be formally unveiled until tomorrow, but even talk of his return has lifted spirits on Tyneside.
Another former Newcastle favourite, midfielder Mick Martin, said: "I'm delighted; it's a good move. We're struggling to say the least, and getting Alan involved is a huge boost for the team and the area."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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