CONFIRMATION Newcastle will appoint Glenn Roeder as their new manager next week has been overshadowed by the row that has broken out between the club and the league manager's association.

The anger at the decision almost boiled over last night with the LMA chief executive John Barnwell feeling it necessary to say he hoped the appointment didn't 'end in tears'.

The Magpies revealed yesterday morning they had been given dispensation by the Premier League to allow caretaker boss Roeder to take over from Graeme Souness on a full-time basis.

The news, however, was greeted with dismay at the LMA, who accused Newcastle of circumventing a ruling regarding the need for Premiership managers to hold a FIFA Pro Licence - agreed by the Premier League back in 2002.

The LMA's stance, however, was too much for chairman Freddy Shepherd, who said: "I am very unhappy at some of the comments coming from the LMA in recent weeks surrounding our efforts to find the right man for the vacant managerial position at Newcastle United

"Glenn was a member of the LMA while at West Ham and is about to begin the Pro Licence course again, so I find it both disappointing and surprising they should take such a stance.

"There is only one vacancy at Newcastle and we can only appoint one person. Whoever we decide is the right person to become the next manager at St James' Park we would fully hope and expect him to receive the complete backing of the LMA and his fellow managers."

Shepherd successfully argued that Roeder does not have the necessary qualification simply because he was diagnosed with a brain tumour just as he was about the embark upon the course in 2003.

He urged his counterparts in the top flight to give their permission on compassionate grounds and was furious the LMA again voiced concerns at its annual general meeting on Tuesday.

Last night Barnwell said: "We are disappointed with the decision to give a dispensation to Newcastle United, in respect of the eligibility of Glenn Roeder being appointed as their manager.

"The LMA has always championed coach management education via qualifications. We thought that this view was shared by all the authorities in football, The FA, Football League, PFA, LMA and indeed the FA Premier League.

"We see this as a retrograde step that sends out totally the wrong message, not only for the future but to those who have given the time and effort to become compliant with the rules.

"Despite the decision of the FA Premier League to ride roughshod over their own rule book, I would confirm that the LMA will not be deflected from our philosophy and desire to support these very necessary qualifications.

"I would emphasise that this has nothing to do with personalities, indeed we have always found Glenn Roeder to be one of the most upright people in the game and a very solid person. We obviously wish him well and hope this appointment does not end in tears."

The appointment, however, received a better reception from the newly-retired Alan Shearer.

"I think common sense has prevailed and we all hope he does a great job," Shearer said. "His record in the last three or four months would suggest that.

"He came in first of all and said he didnt want the job, but thats what football does to you.

"He's got the taste of winning and its a great feeling."

Having assisted him since February, Shearer could form part of the new regime as a full-time coach, however he was reluctant to discuss that issue.

Shearer added: "He knows me very well, I know him very well, and we trust each other.

"I'll be coming to watch as many games as I can here over the coming months. It's my club and I want to stay involved with it."

Roeder, 50, who enjoyed 11 wins from 17 matches as caretaker, will be unveiled as the new boss on Monday. He will belatedly begin his FIFA Pro Licence studies next month and should be qualified in 12 months.

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