Newcastle are to appoint Alan Shearer as caretaker manager for the final 8 games of the season but will be hoping to avoid the fates of two other clubs who turned to club legends during a season in order to save their clubs.

West Ham appointed Sir Trevor Brooking as caretaker manager in a similar situation to that at Newcastle as like Joe Kinnear, Hammers manager Glenn Roeder had serious health issues after collapsing with a brain tumour. Brooking was given just 3 games to save West Ham in 2002/03 from relegation from the Premier League but despite a superb record including 2 wins and 1 draw, the club went down. However, a record number of points was achieved (42) for a relegated club so Brooking maintained if not enhanced his hero status at the club. This included another short spell the following season.

Nottingham Forest also appointed a club legend midway through a season which also resulted in relegation. That man was Stuart Pearce who was already a player and combined this with caretaker duties in the 1996/97 season. Pearce was given far longer than both Shearer and Brooking to save Forest after being appointed in December 1996. Despite initial success in winning the January manager of the month award, Forest slumped to relegation in bottom place. Pearce’s league record read played 23, won 7, drawn 9 and lost 7 but it was not enough and he left the club that May.

Do you think the appointment of Alan Shearer is too little too late for Newcastle or do you think it’s a masterstroke which will unite the club for the final run-in? Let’s hear your views.

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