But could it ruin Shearer's managerial career before it has even started?As Paul Ince proved this season, great and inspirational players do not necessarily make successful managers.
Toughest Weekend Of The Season For Toon?
But could it ruin Shearer's managerial career before it has even started?As Paul Ince proved this season, great and inspirational players do not necessarily make successful managers.
And while Shearer was only watching from afar when Joe Kinnear and Chris Hughton made an arse of a season that promised so much, the club's record goalscorer could well be remembered as the man at the helm when Newcastle went down.
It seems unthinkable that, after Kevin Keegan's side took a point from Man Utd at Old Trafford in the opening game of the season, Newcastle are in genuine danger of toppling out of the top flight altogether.
Substitute striker Andy Carroll rescued a draw against Stoke City at the weekend, but one point from Shearer's two games in charge still leaves the Magpies two points from safety.
Shearer has not been helped by injuries and, although Mark Viduka could return this weekend, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands will both miss out.
Newcastle have shipped 52 league goals this season, with a lot of fingers pointed at £10.3million summer signing Fabrizio Coloccini.
Meanwhile there have been precious few goals from midfield.
The Toon go to fortress White Hart Lane on Sunday, after other relegation threatened sides will have picked up points the previous day.
Portsmouth v Bolton; Stoke City v Blackburn; and Sunderland v Hull City are all "six-pointers" ... with nine points up for grabs between six sides.
Not forgetting Boro are at home to Fulham.