Shearer in coaching role

Alan Shearer will undertake a player-coach role with Newcastle next term.

The former England captain now has a great chance to surpass Jackie Milburn's all-time goalscoring record for The Magpies.

Shearer's new role with Newcastle next season will be as player-coach and Graeme Souness's perseverance in persuading his number nine to postpone his decision to retire has paid off.

"I sat down and I think I had to analyse my performances this season," he said at a press conference. "I probably haven't scored as many goals as last season but I feel I've contributed a lot more than I did last season or the season before.

"I went through a hell of a lot of people to speak to managers, coaches, scouts, friends, players who have packed it in, and what came back was unanimous. They all said to me they feel I was playing too well to retire so I thought I just can't retire because I've said it.

"I'm big enough to admit I did say it and it was a bit hasty. I did have the full intention to retire.

"But it got to me and made me think. My performances have carried on with the level I'm content with and, more importantly, the manager and chairman are content with, so I think I can do that for another year.

"It was a tough decision for me but I believe it is the right one for everyone, importantly for the football club.

"I hope we can go on to bigger and better things. Results have been great, the spirit in the camp is fantastic. I want to be part of something that's happening here and I believe that it will happen."

Shearer does feel he made the right decision to quit international football with England and ruled out a return with Sven Goran Eriksson's side.

"No, England was the right decision many years ago and I think that has proved to be the correct one," he maintained.

"I've started taking my coaching badges so this is the next progressive step. I need to emphasise to all the staff here that nothing changes from my side and their side; everything continues exactly the same.

"I made no secret of the fact I'd love to stay in football and to do that, you need badges. I'm starting them and that's the next step for me - to continue this next season.

"I think that was a tough decision, packing in England five years ago, but I think it's been proved the right one because I've maintained the standard everyone wants.

"I'm not daft enough. I realise when I get over 30 and have a bad game, it's because of my age. That's the rules we play to in football.

"You can't keep everyone happy, you've got to try and prove something every week, but I'm aware of that.

"I have to say the record [Milburn's] didn't play a part. I understand and realise what a great man Jackie Milburn was to the club and to the area but I stayed on because I believe the football club is moving in the right direction, not because I want to break that record.

"I might do that but it's not the reason I stayed on. I believe we can win things. I've seen enough in the past few months to suggest we can do that.

"It was probably about five or six weeks ago [that he changed his mind]. People were constantly into me and telling me to look at the big picture so I did. Probably when they had me under the influence in Dubai! No, the decision was taken after serious thinking and I think I am making the right direction."

Manager Souness was delighted that he managed to win his battle to convince Shearer to stay another year.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am," said the Magpies boss. "Everyone who is a supporter should be delighted.

"If all my signings are as good as this, they will be extremely happy.

"He's got 18 goals this year, having missed part of the season, and that tells its own story.

"It's not just Shearer on the pitch, I want Shearer around the place. He's an enormous help off the pitch and in training and I tried to get into his head by saying this is your football club, the club you love.

"If you really love it, you've got to stay here and help me for another year at least to help us do what we all want - to be successful and win things.

"He's made it for the right reasons. He's his own man and has always stuck to what he has said in the past.

"He may tell me differently later on but I don't think it was such a big decision for him because he loves this football club.

"He is a proper player and has a lot to offer this football club in every aspect.

"It was going to give everyone a lift whenever it was announced but we're coming up to an important part of the season with games that will shape our destiny.

"We could get to the cup final and this can only be an enormous help to us at this time.

"I would try and come up with something different every week to hit him over the head with. I was quietly confident as he still has the same enthusiasm as he had when he was a boy."