Roeder rejects talk of job threat

[kennethlindheim]

Glenn Roeder last night rejected suggestions that he is doing nothing more than keeping the manager's chair at St James's Park warm for Alan Shearer.

Roeder has been put under more pressure than at any other period of his managerial reign at Newcastle following the back-to-back defeats by AZ Alkmaar and Charlton Athletic, which put United out of Europe and well off the pace to qualify for next year's Uefa Cup through the league.

But Roeder is confident he has nothing to fear regarding his future in the job, at least not from the man who would arguably be the overwhelming favourite to replace him.

Shearer has sensibly decided to take a break from football following his retirement as a player and appears to be enjoying life as a pundit for the BBC. But while the 35-year-old has refused to reveal his long-term plans, Newcastle's talismanic former captain is still believed to want the manager's job at some point.

"It never crosses my mind," insisted Roeder, when asked whether Shearer's shadow hanging over him was difficult to deal with. "Alan texts me before every single game wishing me all the best. I don't think I'm just keeping the seat warm for Alan. I see myself here long-term, very much so.

"I see him as my friend. He texts me with little messages and has been very supportive to me. As a football person he understands the problems we have had. He has endorsed that during the season at times in the media saying how difficult the job has been. I do not believe anyone else could have done any better. People will imagine this or that, but when you're in the melting pot, no one could have done any better.

"There are still eight games to go and we must finish the season on a high. Every game is three points. No one has been more disappointed than me when we have gone a goal down in the last couple of games and the reaction we have had."

In a problematic present, Roeder has clearly tried to move the focus forward in recent days and he is adamant he has behaved in the best interests of Newcastle's long-term health and vitality this season. Both chairman Freddie Shepherd and Roeder failed to sufficiently strengthen the side in the two transfer windows since the end of the previous campaign, but United's manager argues that will benefit them in the summer as they look to build a new-look side.

He explained: "There are managers out there whose philosophy is keep living for the next six months, keep surviving. But what do they achieve for their clubs? Not a lot. They end up with a squad with an average age of 36.

"I've been prepared to gamble my job here for the good of Newcastle, so that, in the summer, I can hopefully get the signings I want. There is no reason to think, at this particular time, that there is any reason we won't get them.

"I'm quite happy to be judged by sensible people, by football people, on what has happened this season. Sensible people, football people, think I've done more than okay this season.

"I've got brought up by Terry Venables at QPR and he said the only people you should worry about when they criticise you are the people you respect. Everyone else? Don't even think about it, let it go over the top of your head.

"The criticism I've had this season doesn't bother me, it doesn't give me sleepless nights. Compared to what has been thrown at me at West Ham, I think people have been fair this season."

icNewcastle - Glenn rejects talk of job threat

It's inevitable at some point in the future that Shearer will be our manager, but perhaps the sooner the better it would benefit us? Last season it was Shearer who was appointed as no.2 to Roeder and the run of results was nothing short of Champions League form following this. Since Shearer left we've been shite, prompting me to wonder whether he had a bigger influence tactically than previously thought. This season there has been no game plan whatsoever. Contrast to the end of last season where we were attacking and scoring plenty goals. So, whether this has been plain coincidence or not, it's a possibility that Shearer was such a major factor behind the scenes. And as a manager, he would get respect from all players, has an excellent understanding of the game and the club and is never outspoken.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Alan Shearer is maybe your best option.It's obvious that Roeder won't take Newcastle much higher.

[kennethlindheim]

Personally I hope that we appoint a foreign manager with proven qualities if Roeder gets the boot. But with Shepherd at the top of the pyramide, it's impossible.

I firmly believe Souness and particularly Roeder were appointed, as they'll be very easy to get rid of when Shearer decides he wants the job.

So the sooner the better IMO.