Alan Shearer insists he is strictly second in command at Newcastle as he and Glenn Roeder began their stint as the club’s temporary management team.

The 35-year-old former England captain will continue to play until the end of the season, when he is due to retire, and will leave team selection and tactics up to Roeder.

Roeder, formerly manager of West Ham, Watford and Gillingham, has been made caretaker manager following the sacking of Graeme Souness.

And although he and Shearer have ruled themselves out of contention for the full-time job, they could remain in charge for the next 12 weeks.

Premier League rules forbid them staying on any longer, as neither man has the Uefa pro licence qualification.

Shearer is happy to be deputy, even though he cannot mask an ambition to be manager at St James’ Park one day.

The striker said: "Nothing will change that much for me. I’ve had the title of player coach for the last few months since I signed my new contract.

"Glenn, if he wants to, will bounce his ideas off me as much or as little as he likes. Glenn will be picking the team and choosing the tactics.

"The best way for me to assist him will be to go out and put in performances which help us climb the league table. We all have to help him as much as we can."

Asked whether he would be interested in taking control on a permanent basis, Shearer said: "I’m exactly the same as him (Roeder) - I’m not ready for it. I think it requires an experienced man. I haven’t got that experience yet.

"I'm still doing all my coaching badges. I'm halfway through my A licence and we'll move on to the last one once that's complete."

PA