JOE KINNEAR'S startling announcement that he expects to be succeeded by a managerial dream team of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer at Newcastle United appears increasingly unlikely to become a reality.
On being installed as the shock interim successor to Keegan, the former Wimbledon manager's said he was merely holding the fort while an anticipated takeover was completed and that the new regime aimed to place the two local heroes in charge.
He also said a Nigerian consortium is the preferred choice of Mike Ashley, Newcastle's current owner, to buy the club.
While Keegan's potential return cannot be ruled out, friends of Shearer last night revealed the former Newcastle captain was "in the dark" about his proposed new role. Shearer - who turned down a coaching role offered by Keegan in the New Year - is understood to have no interest in such a career turn and feels he "would be mad" to accept a post with Newcastle at present.
Kinnear signed a short-term contract until the end of next month. "My job is to get a few results until the two main people are named. I assume from the new people coming in they will be Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.
"Mike Ashley made it quite clear to me that he hopes to have the club sold by the beginning of October. I worked it out I would be in charge for between six and eight games. But he assures me they have a buyer and that the consortium coming in have Keegan lined up and possibly Shearer."
Asked about the Nigerian consortium being fronted by Chris Nathaniel of NVA management, an entertainment company, Kinnear said: "I'm led to believe that the consortium is their first choice of buyer and that Keegan might come back."
City sources however continue to cast doubt on the viability of the Nigerian bid and insist that there is serious alternative interest from the Far East and China in particular.
Keith Harris, the chairman of investment bankers Seymour Pierce and broker of some high-profile foreign takeovers of Premier League clubs, is actively seeking a purchaser.
Following four successive defeats, Kinnear's brief is to try and stabilise the team.
Out of work for almost four years since resigning from his last job at Nottingham Forest, the 61-year-old knows he is very much the last option, appointed after the likes of Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle, turned the post down. "I'm not daft enough not to know that they've tried everyone else and everybody else has turned their back on it," he admitted. "I intend to make an instant improvement at the club. After that, of course, I know that I won't be there.
"The fans are going to be disappointed by my appointment. I am aware of that but I can't do anything about it. My shoulders are broad enough to take any criticism. I just hope they realise I'm in there doing the best I can. I've never been involved in a side that's been relegated in my life. And this is a big one. The worrying thing for me is that there are nine players injured long-term and all nine would be in the side."
Guardian Service
