Toon legend fields press questions for the first time

This afternoon, Alan Shearer sat through his first press conference as Newcastle Utd manager. He looked confident, and even sharing a few jokes at the start. The new Messiah revealed the following:

• Bad news for fans of quality analysis - Shearer will be coming back to MOTD. The BBC has given him an “eight week sabbatical,” and Joe Kinnear will return in the summer.

• He was first asked about taking the position on Saturday.

• Shearer believes there is quality in the team, but they’re not playing with much confidence.

• “I haven’t taken his job for me. It’s about keeping this club in the Premier League.”

• On his huge £100k-a-game fee and £1m staying up bonus: “The bonus for me is keeping the club up. That’s the bonus for me.”

• When asked if it will be easy to walk away after eight games if it goes really well. “No, I don’t think it will be hard to walk away. I’m here for eight games only.”
• On Iain Dowie: “If he thinks I’m doing the wrong thing he’ll tell me.” Shearer also described him as “not pretty”.
• “I’ll try to tap in to all the experience I can. I’m gonna need it.“