Shearer accepts poisoned chalice as new Magpies manager

LONDON: Former England and Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer will manage Newcastle United for the remainder of the season, according to British television reports on Tuesday.

Shearer, 38, who has been working as a TV pundit with the BBC, will take over from caretaker Chris Hughton, who has been standing in for manager Joe Kinnear. Kinnear, 62, has been recovering from triple heart bypass surgery since February.

Sky Sports News and the BBC both reported late on Tuesday that Shearer would take over as manager while a club source told Reuters that Shearer would hold a news conference on Thursday and that the club would make no other comment.