Cannot See Why Harry Would Want To Go To Newcastle

Taken From Today's Mirror...

clipped from www.sundaymirror.co.uk

HARRY'S TALK OF TOON

NEWCASTLE TARGET POMPEY BOSS Ashley eyes Redknapp

Paul Smith 18/11/2007

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Harry Redknapp has emerged as the number one target to replace Newcastle's under-fire manager Sam Allardyce.

The Magpies' multimillionaire owner, Mike Ashley, has made no secret of his admiration for Portsmouth boss Redknapp and the impressive job he's done at Fratton Park.

Ashley's uneasy relationship with Allardyce is bordering on disintegration and although Redknapp has recently signed a new contract at Pompey, that won't deter Ashley from making a formal approach to the high-flying south-coast club.

The alternative for Newcastle will be a move to persuade former superstar Alan Shearer to accept the challenge of becoming their next manager.

Sources close to the Toon talisman suggest that, having decided to take a two-season sabbatical away from football, Shearer now has fresh enthusiasm to get back into the game when his media contract with the BBC expires next summer.

The Sunday Mirror exclusively revealed in July that the former Magpies and England skipper had held talks with chairman Chris Mort about a return to St James' Park in an undefined role.

Ashley and Mort are keen to re-establish a Geordie connection at the club, but when sounded out Shearer, 37, made it plain that he wasn't interested in an ambassadorial role.

It seems certain Shearer, who has worked tirelessly to get the required coaching qualifications since his retirement season of 2005/06, will one day return to Newcastle as manager.

Allardyce's popularity on Tyneside continues to diminish with supporters largely unimpressed with him.

His appointment to the post was made by former chairman Freddy Shepherd prior to the buy-out by Ashley. And rumours have been rife all season that it's only a matter of time before Ashley boots him out of the club.

While the club have publicly dismissed speculation about continuing rumours about Allardyce's future, privately it is well known the two do not see eye-to-eye.

Ashley's admiration for Redknapp shows no sign of subsiding though, and he has made it abundantly clear he will move heaven and earth to land his man.

During two spells at Pompey Redknapp has transformed the club into a major force in top-flight football.

He is well known for his attacking style of football, which Ashley believes will captivate the Toon Army and steer the club to long overdue success.

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