Shearer on Haaland, Newcastle, and the Pundit Life

Alan Shearer is well aware that for his Premier League goal record to stay intact, it might be best if Erling Haaland decided to leave England. The legendary Newcastle United and England striker has netted 260 goals during his impressive 14-year career in the league. With Haaland already racking up 120 Premier League goals in just over four seasons, if he remains with Manchester City, there’s a real chance he could eclipse Shearer's mark. Yet, Shearer admits that if Haaland doesn’t break the record, someone else most likely will. Before Haaland emerged, Harry Kane was the one closing in, but his move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich halted his progress at 213 goals. “I’m sure it will be broken one day, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts,” Shearer shared during the Football Interview. “Maybe if Haaland heads to Real Madrid or somewhere similar in the next couple of years, I’ll be safe.” Two decades after hanging up his boots, Shearer spoke with Kelly Somers about his unwavering love for Newcastle, his near return to management, and his current role in the commentary booth. The bond between Shearer and Newcastle is legendary. But there was a time when he thought he might never return after leaving for Southampton at just 15, living with a host family. “I wouldn’t change a thing - moving away from home was one of the best decisions I made,” he reflected. “But when my kids turned 15, I thought, ‘How on earth did my parents let me leave home at that age?’” He vividly remembers boarding the train at Newcastle Central, seeing his mother in tears, and wondering, “Is this the last time I’ll ever be back home?” In 1992, he moved back up north to Blackburn Rovers under Sir Kenny Dalglish, where he clinched the Premier League trophy. By 1996, returning to his boyhood club Newcastle was just a matter of time. His debut season with Newcastle in 1996-97 saw him net an impressive 25 Premier League goals. Little did he know, that would be his final taste of silverware as a player, suffering heartbreak in two FA Cup finals with a team that never fully realized its potential. Regardless of Newcastle’s ups and downs, Shearer always knew he would return to the northeast. He reminisces about watching his idol Kevin Keegan from the Gallowgate End and how surreal it felt to eventually sign for him. “I witnessed the love the fans had for him. He was like a pied piper in Newcastle, and I wanted to be part of that,” he said. Shearer cemented his legacy at the club, amassing 206 goals in 405 appearances over a decade. These days, when he gets the chance to enjoy a pre-match pint and stroll to St James' Park, he often goes incognito. “I’ve got a cap on and I rarely look up, otherwise it would take me forever to get from the pub to the ground,” he chuckled. Despite retiring from playing 20 years ago, weekends are still packed for Shearer. As a prominent pundit on Match of the Day and co-commentator for England matches, he’s earned his stripes in the football media landscape. However, stepping into punditry wasn’t his only option post-retirement. He briefly dipped his toes in management, taking the reins at Newcastle in 2009 for eight critical matches, but the experience didn’t go as planned. “Newcastle was in desperate trouble, and I couldn’t say no,” he recounted. “But looking back, signing a contract on April Fool’s Day should have raised a red flag!” After his stint ended with relegation, he returned to punditry, spending long days traveling between Newcastle and Salford for his gigs. “It’s a long day. For me, it’s about a 19 to 20-hour commitment,” he said. “People don’t realize that you’re expected to be at your best when you go live at 10:30!” With his keen eye on the Premier League, Shearer continues to monitor his record, wondering just how long it can hold up.