Alan Shearer sends message to Eddie Howe and hits out at Newcastle mess

Frustrations within the Newcastle United fanbase are reaching their peak, and club legend Alan Shearer has publicly joined in the vexation of the Geordie nation.

Eddie Howe has done an incredible job to guide us back to Champions League football and end our longstanding trophy drought. Little has been done to help the gaffer over the past few seasons to strengthen our position. 

Three windows have passed without any major incomings and, though Anthony Elanga has signed on this summer, a general lack of action from the suits away from the pitch have led Alexander Isak to tell the club he is “exploring his options” this summer.

Shearer gave his thoughts on what Howe’s next steps should be now that his talisman has essentially placed himself in the shop window, and shared his disappointment with the Club’s handling of business.

Shearer frustrated by Newcastle mess

Eddie Howe must do all he can to convince Alexander Isak to stay at Newcastle for at least another year, says Alan Shearer.

Shearer, who famously showed loyalty and fulfilled his dream of playing for his hometown club when he rejected Manchester United’s advances in 1996, asserted that nobody is bigger than Newcastle United.

However, speaking to Betfair, Shearer feels communication from the club has been poor, believing Isak’s recent absence from our trip to Asia could’ve been dealt with better:  

"If they thought people wouldn't see through that (Isak not travelling to Singapore)… it was disappointing. They should've just told the truth straight away. I understand it's a very difficult situation for them but it is what it is.

"Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can't happen then it is what it is. You have to get the very best deal for the football club and if someone is prepared to pay north of £150million, and if he really, really wants to go, you can't step in his way.

"Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy and if there's no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible and if someone's prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future.

"There's no individual bigger than the football club."

Is Isak damage done?

If Isak wants to go and our fee demands are met, should we let him leave? That’s the ultimate question - but it’s important to remember we ultimately have most control in the situation.

The Swede’s head has definitely been turned. Whether to do purely with his own ambitions, wage demands, our lack of off-field progress and squad building, or a combination of the three, his head has turned.

A bad egg spoils the batch as the saying goes, if he requests to leave and we deny him then we risk the 25-year-old kicking off - or not playing. Additionally, it would see the prospective fee of £150m decrease window by window as he nears the expiry of his contract.

But is the damage irreversible now, if he is convinced to stay and the forward agrees to a new deal after talks with Howe and the situation is salvaged, there will be a stink hanging above Isak’s head about his consideration of leaving.

He would certainly be granted forgiveness a lot quicker if he starts the season well, and continues to help us build on a historic 2024/25 campaign in our return to the Champions League.