"All I ever wanted to do was play for Newcastle. I'd stand on the terraces dreaming of the day I would walk out on that hallowed turf."

That day arrived for Alan Shearer on August 6, 1996, when he was paraded as the world's most expensive player as 15,000 Geordies welcomed him during a rainstorm on Tyneside.

Eight years and 174 goals in a black and white shirt later the end is nearing for Shearer, due to retire at the end of the season, the Newcastle United footballer. Still idolised by townsfolk who will always regard him in the legendary status bracket.

And it is the high regard Shearer is held in that has left chairman Freddy Shepherd with one major concern since deciding to bring an end to Sir Bobby Robson's tenure in charge. Where does the club captain's future lie?

It is that question which poses the biggest problem for the no-nonsense Shepherd. First and foremost does he see Shearer as a manager at St James' Park in the not too distant future? If so, then what happens to the talismanic forward between now and then.

If it is Shepherd's intention to groom the 34-year-old for the role while he tries to qualify for his final UEFA coaching badge, then there are very few who will be prepared to take on such a position.

Terry Venables? Undoubtedly. But beyond him numbers are pretty sparse. In fact there are unlikely to be any other runners and riders apart from possibly former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.

Shearer would welcome the arrival of Venables after the pair struck up a good relationship during the Londoner's time in charge of England - when the Newcastle forward finished as top-scorer during Euro '96.

It would be an appointment also welcomed by the rest of the players. The ex-Tottenham boss is renowned throughout the game for having a first class relationship with the players he has under him.

A plus for Newcastle is that Venables has already proven he can work alongside someone. He steered Middlesbrough safe from relegation in 2001 when he was asked to do a survival job as Bryan Robson lost his way.

That would be the best solution for Shearer, providing he has told Shepherd that he wants to take over the reins at a club that has been in turmoil over the past couple of months.

Management is something that has never been ruled out by Shearer and he has worked hard on trying to the improve his image that has been portrayed as being branded boring and bland.

Working with the media never used to be his strong point and that was largely due to his deadbat television technique but being a regular on Sky Sports has helped the PR skills needed if he were to take charge.

Beyond Venables the other names mentioned to takeover would be less keen on acting as nothing more than stepping stone in Newcastle's bid to help Shearer become Robson's long-term successor.

Steve Bruce, Steve McClaren, Gordon Strachan, Sam Allardyce ... the list goes on and on. The usual candidates for all the top jobs will be mentioned as the search continues.

But there is one certainty, all of the above will not take charge under the pretence they will have to move aside when Shearer is ready to take charge in a couple of years time - over to you Mr Shepherd.

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