Patrick Kluivert says Alan Shearer is to blame for his failed spell at Newcastle.
Patrick Kluivert has laid the blame for his failure to impress at Newcastle firmly at the feet of Magpies legend Alan Shearer.The Dutchman spent an unproductive spell on Tyneside last season as he struggled to maintain a regular place in the first XI, and has now described the move as one of the biggest mistakes of his career.
Kluivert, now plying his trade for Valencia in Spain, scored just six league goals and believes the club's reliance on Shearer hindered what would have been a more potent partnership between himself and Craig Bellamy.
The striker lambasted Magpies boss Graeme Souness for his inability to drop Shearer, as well as claiming that Bellamy was keen to see the veteran out of the starting XI as well.
"There is only one man responsible for the fact that I did not become a big hit in Newcastle, his name is Alan Shearer," Kluivert told Voetbal International. "The man is God in the North.
"I think Shearer is a fantastic footballer, but Souness should have played Bellamy and me together all the time.
"We formed the ideal partnership, Souness should have preferred both of us above Shearer.
"I know Bellamy felt the same but that did not make a difference.
"Every week it was Shearer and Kluivert or Shearer and Bellamy.
"Newcastle United Football Club is all about Alan Shearer, it is as simple as that.
"Nobody can beat him, nobody can touch him and nobody can do anything about it."
It appeared something of a coup when Newcastle completed the signing of Kluivert in the summer of 2004, but the two parties failed to gel and the former Barcelona, Ajax and Milan star now believes moving to St James' Park was one of the worst decisions of his career.
As well as describing the northern side as being constantly in chaos, Kluivert attacked what he perceives to be a dearth of ability outside the Premiership elite.
"Newcastle United was not the right choice, there is always chaos at that club," Kluivert continued.
"Where in the world do you see two players from the same club fighting with each other in the middle of a match?
"I can remember sitting on the bench and it just happened in front of me, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer having a right brawl.
"It was always my dream to play in England, when I look back I think it was one of the biggest mistakes in my career.
"Not because of England, but because of Newcastle.
"What turned me off as well was the kind of football Newcastle play.
"In England only Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool play good football.
"With all the rest it is nothing more than running around and belting the ball up front."