An Alan Shearer Takeover

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2:13Dang, that's a good offer. The highest form of approval. No haggling, no hassle. No one called him boss. He's still on the couch. Astonishing. Sell your car today on Carvana.com. Pickup fees may apply. Hello and welcome to The Rest Is Football. We've got something a little special today. Yes, very special because there's no Gary Lineker and no Micah Richards. It's an Alan Shearer takeover. Yes, we're going to be doing an Ask Me Anything. The questions have been pouring in from all of you on Reddit and there's some really interesting ones. So let's get straight into the first question. Hi, Alan. As a retired footballer, how much mental energy do you put into personal fitness? Is it something you're naturally passionate about, that you look forward to planning a workout and staying fit or something to check off the list, so to speak?

3:18Would love to hear your thoughts as it relates to those of us all ageing. Cheers, that's a good start, isn't it? I hated fitness work when I was playing. I just was one of these guys who was, get the balls out, let's get the balls out. And I was determined that when I finished playing 20 years ago, yes, 20 years ago, that I was just going to chill and do nothing. That lasted for about six weeks when I just thought I was feeling a bit sluggish. And then I soon realized that for mental health side of things, you have to get out and train. I love going out on my bike. I'm involved with Speedflex, which is a great way to keep fit. And that's what I do. I do it two, three, four times a week. I've got no set.

4:06I don't have a teacher. I don't have anyone do it with me. I just do it mainly on my own, unless I go out on my bike with a couple of pals. And that's how I keep fit. Hi, Alan. What's the wildest thing an opposition player ever said to you to try and put you off for a game? Oh, yeah. We've had insults about family members, about wives, about everything. Yeah, that used to be a regular occurrence. But I guess other than the bits about your family or your friends, then you used to get whacked. I mean, back when I made my debut in, was it 88 against Arsenal? I mean, some of those teams, that Arsenal team, 88 was tough. Then got even better in the 90s with Adams and Keown and Dixon and Winterburn and Bold and all those guys.

4:55I mean, used to go to Highbury knowing you were going to get whacked in the first five or ten minutes of the game because you're allowed a free hit then. You never got a yellow card. But the insults never, they just made me laugh. They were fine. It was the wax from behind that I was more concerned about. Hi, Alan. It was a bit of a long running joke of you hoping Kane would leave Spurs so that your premiership goal scoring record was safe. But does a part of you think you'd have liked to have seen a fellow Englishman to be the one to beat your record? In short terms, no. It's going to go one day, clearly. Someone will break it. Whether Harry is that one or not, or whether it's Erland Haaland,

5:38if he's here at Man City, depending on what happens with them, it'll go one day, I'm pretty sure. But if it does, yeah, I hope it's an Englishman that does it. Harry's a great lad. I've got great respect for him. He's a brilliant goalscorer. It looks as if he's going to sign a new deal at Bayern Munich for another two or three years, which I guess if he does, he'll maybe too old to come back and do it. I don't know. I guess the way the fitness is with some players now that we're seeing them go to like Ronaldo and Messi, he might be at that age where he might come back and it might take a little bit longer, but he could do it. But he is hoping not. Hi, Alan. I've got a theory that the best way to put off a penalty taker

6:20would be if everyone on the ground went completely quiet, like pin drop minutes, silence levels of quietness. And then as the penalty taker, you in this scenario in brackets, started his run up, everyone screamed in unison at the highest pitch possible. Do you think that this would put off a penalty taker like yourself? If not, then what would be your suggestion to fans to put off the opposition penalty taker? I went to a rugby match years ago. I didn't and still haven't really got a clue about rugby, despite having two son-in-laws who were in the rugby world. I went to the rugby match years ago and they got a penalty and the whole ground went silent. And I was like, wow, this is amazing. Because in football, as soon as you get a penalty,

7:04you can see everyone from behind the goal doing the different signs and abusing you and screaming and shouting at you and trying their very best to put you off. But in rugby, everyone went silent. No, I don't think there's anything that can sort of put a good penalty taker off. You're ready for that scenario. You're waiting for anything. I mean, they've changed the rules. Keepers can move along the line now. Obviously, you can't come forward or take both feet off the line. But no, I don't think there would be anything, whether you went quiet, whether it's a noise. You're that focused on what you're trying to do as a penalty taker. I don't think anything would put you off. Hi, Alan. We all know you're a mag. It takes a lot of guts to admit something like that

7:52publicly, so kudos to you for that, really. My question is, are you the sort of mag who prefers Sunderland's, in brackets, your better-looking neighbours to the south, okay, in the same league as yourselves for the Derby and the rivalry? Or would you prefer it if we sank all the way to the Northern League to begin a new rivalry with Sunderland? Oh, C.A.P.S. I love your choice of headwear. No, I like Sunderland in the Premier League. I like it even better when the bottom has the art of the minute. No, I like the rivalry. I think it's healthy to have all the North East clubs in the Premier League. I'd like Middlesbrough to come up because those are the games, as a player, you want to play and as soon as the fixtures are out,

8:34that's the fixtures that you look for. It wasn't so good last season for us, but let's hope we can get our own back this season. Do you have any long-term pain or other difficulties post-career from all those endless days on the pitch and training and in matches? Yeah, absolutely I do, yeah. I think it was 15 operations that I had. I had five or six on my right knee. I had two or three on my left knee. I had two or three on my right knee, two or three on my left knee. I had two or three on my right ankle. So yeah, I can't run. Some will say I couldn't run anyway the last few years of my career, but I can't run anymore. So yeah, I've got pain in my ankles, my knees and my back, unfortunately.

9:21Hi Alan, one thing that has bugged me for years has been the narrative that you were close to joining Crystal Palace when you left Southampton. I assume that Ron Nodes was never going to be willing to stump up the money that Blackburn were at the time. And seeing you score two quite wonderful goals on the first day of the season was particularly galling. But was there any truth in this? There was a little bit, yeah, but it was never anything serious. Unfortunately, it was always going to be Blackburn. I know Man United came in, or Man United asked. They didn't put any offer in or anything like that. So as far as I'm aware, Palace didn't put an offer in. They were just asking about the conversation,

10:00but it was Blackburn who were always going to be the one. If Newcastle never got relegated when you were in charge, do you think you would have ultimately remained in the role? I understand you're happy to have gone down the pundity path, as I've heard you talk about turning jobs down after this, but would you have preferred that it worked out with Newcastle and you had a long-term management career that way? I thought it was going to happen. I'd agreed everything to be the Newcastle manager, even after we got relegated and it was all agreed. And then we got a call on the Thursday after the season finished to say there was an issue, we'd be in touch. And they never got back in touch. So I don't know what would have happened,

10:49but sliding doors moments, I guess. It's one of those things that if, how, when, why. But I'd had a couple of other inquiries after that. Cardiff, I went for talks with a year or so after that. Had three interviews for that job, got offered the job. But during the talks, things had changed from the first interview to the last interview. And I just thought, nah, what's the point? And then I just got my head down and worked at the punditry. So it wasn't to be. Next question. Hi, Alan, what would it take for you to show up and match the day with a full head of long hair like the famous meme, a wig is allowed? I wouldn't do it, no. I've seen the, I think it's Gareth Ainsworth, isn't it? The old wicket manager. I've seen that with me, with his barnet on my head. I like it. Good picture. Don't think it suits me though, so there's no chance of that ever happening.

11:47To add to that, do you wear wigs? Have you worn wigs? Will you wear wigs? When will you wear wigs? I won't wear wigs. Never wear wigs. Never have worn wigs. Never will wear wigs. Next question. Hey Alan, asking on behalf of my lovely dad. He was a striker too. While this may read sarcastic, it is genuine. You work a lot with NUFC and Newcastle City. Have you ever considered working, training with the forwards, strikers we have? We can both imagine your media and duties could get in the way of a gruelling work week do and so, but has it ever crossed your mind to join them for training or if you'd ever like to do so hope you're doing well well I would always uh I mean training wise I think it would be

12:34too difficult because the coaching staff have their own people but um if anyone ever wanted to sit and talk to me um then clearly I'd do that I'd went in there and spoke to Alexander Isak, not specifically about what he should do better or what he could do better because he was doing so well at the time. But yeah, I'd go in, I'd give advice and I would ask if they were wanting to ask my opinion. I always message new strikers that come into Newcastle anyway and say to them if they ever need any help, whether that's on the pitch or off it, finding houses, doing whatever, I would always help in that way. But I know the club have that sort of ticked off. Could do with a bit of help with the money, by the way, because

13:15we're really struggling to score goals. I was at the game against Everton at home and it was so poor. Can't really work out what we're trying to do, not creating chances. We're so open for teams to play through us at the minute and we're struggling and they need a big result against Fulham at the weekend. That's for sure, because being booed off is not nice, half-time and full-time. And to be honest, the manager and the players could have no complaints because it was a really, really poor performance. Next question. Alan, who is the most famous current footballer you have never met and who would you like to meet? I've never met. I've not met Messi. I've never met Messi, unfortunately. I got to meet Pelé, I got to interview Pelé actually in the World Cup in Brazil, which was amazing.

14:13Met Maradona a few times, but I've never met Messi, so Messi would be the one I'd like to meet. Next question. I once knew someone that worked at St James' Park who said that, without fail, after every game, you would have chicken nuggets and a pint of Blue Wicked. Can you confirm this is true or not, please? I've wanted to know for years. Definitely didn't have chicken nuggets and definitely didn't have a pint of Blue Wicked. I might have had a pint of Guinness, but not a pint of Blue Wicked. I'm sorry. Let's take a break. Discover the new Myself Eau de Toilette Intense, A masculine and long-lasting fragrance for every day. A bold scent with sensual musk and woody notes. Myself, Yves Saint Laurent.

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16:29Having played and scored many goals at the highest level, what have you noticed has changed the most between strikers then and strikers now? Everything from movement and positioning. Yeah, I mean, back in my day, it was mostly 4-4-2, two strikers up, one striker dropping in when you didn't have the ball. I guess we've still got Haaland as the main striker, even Kane sort of dropping deeper now. When you look at Salah and Mane for Liverpool, those guys are probably more forwards than centre-forwards, but their numbers were still fantastic. It's not as aggressive now as it was years ago. I answered one of the early questions when you just knew you were going to get hit from behind in the first 10 or 15 minutes in the early stages of my career.

17:26Clearly, that's changed now. I mean, everything's changed. The pitches, the sports science, the ground, everything from top to bottom has improved massively. I also wondered if I was playing now, whether I would have had the three serious injuries that I had. Maybe not. So maybe I would have played more football. I don't know. I mean, everything's changed. The laws have changed. Just so much has changed from a striker's point of view. But the one thing that hasn't changed is that if you are a striker or if you are a centre forward, you're still going to be judged on goals. That's the one thing that you have to continue to do as a centre forward, score goals. Next question. Hey, Alan, what's your go-to for a pint?

18:07I think everyone knows that. It's a pint of Guinness. Big fan, Alan. As a footballing man through and through, I would love your take on how important is a manager's ideas and tactics are to the end product on a football field versus how much of it is down to player quality and chemistry between the players also which up and coming manager in the premier league do you think has a chance to be considered elite one day yeah i mean a manager's tactics play a huge part on what you're going to do as a team i guess as an individual, it's your individual ability are the things that actually go out and win a game, particularly from a striker's point of view. But in terms of how the manager sets you up, what system he wants to play, three at the back, four at the back, two or three

18:57in midfield, a hole in midfielder, wide men, whether he wants your wide men to tuck in when you have the ball, whether he wants your wide men to get chalk on their boots. Yeah, managers' tactics play a huge part, but it's the individual that actually then goes and wins you the game. in teams since your retirement based purely on how much you think you enjoy playing with the players and for the manager not based on who won the most trophies or the Champions League or whatever which one would you pick probably I guess probably Manchester City only because of the players that they had in Kevin De Bruyne and I always said that he's a forwards dream was De Bruyne, because when you made your run, whether that was in behind

19:49or you made your run attacking that near post or wherever you wanted to in the six yard box, he would find you. His ability to put crosses in was just incredible. So from a selfish point of view and goals, it would be Man City just because Kevin De Bruyne. Do you still like chicken and beans? I still like chicken and beans, but I very, very rarely have it. I used to have it a lot, particularly in my Blackburn days and early years at Newcastle. That was my go-to meal to begin with. But I don't have it so much now. Next question. Hi, Alan. What a terrific career you had. What would you say is the memory you treasure most? So many highs, such as lifting the title with Blackburn, holding the Premier League goalscoring record,

20:38or signing for your beloved Newcastle. On another note, do you watch much championship football? Loving it this season as a Baggies fan. Well, yeah, I watch it all football. It's an incredible competitive league. It really is. You just never know what's going to happen from week to week. So I guess that's one of the strengths of it. What do I treasure most? I don't know. If I put two or three things down, I mean, being named England captain, I don't think it gets any bigger or any better than that. To walk out of Wembley with the armband on as England captain, that's incredibly special. Yeah, winning the title with Blackburn was amazing. Little old Blackburn taking on the might of Man United and Liverpool and Arsenal and all these huge football clubs.

21:22And for Blackburn to come in and beat them was very, very special. And having the Newcastle goal scoring record, I mean, I broke the record of Jackie Milburn and that day will live with me forever, that feeling, you know. So, in no particular order, I guess it would be those three things. Hi Alan, if for the rest of your life, every time you took a shit, you had to listen to either Micah Richards laugh or Gary Neville repeatedly saying Manchester United, both would be for the duration of the shit and any wiping done after, which one would you pick and how often would you leave the bathroom with an unwiped arse just to put your ears out of their misery? Thanks, Alan. I mean, Jesus, we've had some

22:09questions and that's a question. I never get tired of listening to Micah's laugh. It's infectious. So Micah's laugh's great. Not so much the image of me sitting on the loo though, but anyway. What was the worst fight you saw in the locker room i mean fist fights objects being thrown etc one of the best ones was um in my southampton days when anything went really in the dressing room manager fighting with players uh players trying to punch the manager glass milk bottles being thrown at the wall in the dressing room when the manager came in and having a puppet play. So we had a really tough, hard dressing room at Southampton and anything went really. So there were some great fights in that dressing room

22:58from players and with the manager. Yeah, brilliant. Hi, Alan. My brother is a spitting image of you. Was your dad knocking about in West Yorkshire 53 years ago? Not as far as I'm aware, no. Sorry, can't commit to that one. Next question. Hello. I have a question about retirement. How did you manage having to be among the fittest athletes to be retired? Did you start some other sports? Also, how did you manage transitioning to not having a nutritionist following what you ate? Are there any people helping you adapt to life without top level football? No, it's tough because ever since a 15 year old kid, you've got everything that's been done for you, all your travel's been planned, everything that you eat has been planned,

23:48your boots are ready for you, everything. And there's no stone unturned that you can't have as a footballer. So when that ends as a 35 or a 36-year-old, it's tough, yeah. I said in one of the earlier questions that I just wanted a break from training, but that only lasted about five or six weeks because I felt so bad that you had to get out and you have to train and do something but in terms of nutrition I'm quite lucky to be honest that I can sort of eat and drink what I yeah what I want um but I do I do try and exercise three or four times a week next question it's It's an obvious one, but how close were you to joining Manchester United? Also, do you regret retiring from international football so early?

24:32I don't regret not joining Man United. I know that I would have won more trophies, absolutely. That's pretty much guaranteed, but I wouldn't have been able to play for my club, have the goal-scoring record, have a statue, have my foundation up here in Newcastle, which is for people with complex disabilities. So for all of those things, no, I got to live my dream and I was one lucky boy, you know. And what was the other part of it? Do I regret retiring from international football so early? No, I had to because of the operations that I had, I knew that I couldn't then compete seriously at both international level and in the Premier League. So one had to go. And unfortunately, obviously, it couldn't be club level. So it had to be England.

25:15And it got me another five or six years playing at the highest level. So I don't regret it. It was something that the decision had to be made and it was the right one. Next one. Hello, Alan. As a Blackburn fan, you're my hero growing up. Thanks. I walk down Alan Shearer way every day on my way to work and it reminds me of those wonder years. I have very fond memories of the SAS playing up front. Who do you think was your best strike partner throughout your career? And do you think two up front would work in the modern game yeah great great uh had an unbelievable four years at blackburn and that relationship that i had with chris sutton was amazing we both understood each other's game almost immediately

25:56with him coming into the club he dropped short into the midfield when we didn't have the ball he was more than happy to do that and sort of left me to attack everything in the box. So I had a great partnership with Sutley. I guess in numbers wise, Teddy Sheringham was brilliant with England also too. He suited my game, I suited his and we had a great understanding. The best partnerships are the ones where you never have to work at it. So, and Les Ferdinand at Newcastle. We only played one season together, me and Les. Unfortunately, I would love to have like three or four seasons with Les because we scored, I think, 49 goals between us in the one season that we had together at Newcastle. So it would be Les Ferdinand.

26:37Alan, if you could go back in time and give yourself any advice based upon a faulty idea or belief about football you had while an active player what would it be how do you think that advice might have helped you as a player in terms of advice um I was I mean I got plenty of it along the way in terms of for football reasons going down to Southampton was one of the best things I did because I learned my trade and I learned how to work hard and respect and all of those things. Going to Blackburn I think was a was a decent decision. The only things I would change in my career and I guess you can do nothing about them and I always wonder what would I have scored and how many more games would I've played

27:23if I didn't have the three serious injuries? But I guess I couldn't do anything with that. I was out for seven months with a cruciate ligament injury on my right knee. I was out for seven months when I ruptured my ankle, broke my ankle and displaced my joint. And I was out for another seven months when I did my tendon on my left knee. So, yeah, I was out for almost three years, you know. That would be the only thing that I would change, but you have to deal with the injuries, unfortunately. Hi, Alan. Blackburn fan here, who has a lot of love for you. Who is the most underrated player that you've played with? Not necessarily the best, but the one that doesn't get enough credit. Also, if chippy tea is on me, what are you having?

28:08Who's the most underrated player? I guess David Batty might have been underrated. He was a brilliant footballer, clever, loved to tackle, could pass it. He obviously didn't score hardly any goals, but I guess what he did for the midfield and not too many people might remember him. So, I would say David Batty. Okay, last question. Here we go. Hi, Alan. P-G-M-O-L. I was waiting for one of these questions. Are they in need of reform or should they be abolished completely and something new installed in its place? The Prem is not only a world-class league, but is arguably the best sports league in the world. However, these jokers consistently undermine its integrity and are a constant source of frustrations

28:57to fans all around the world. Look, I guess my bugbear would be is that referees are actually making the laws up of the game. And why on earth do they have to be so complicated? For example, the handball law. I just think it's a complete and utter nonsense. There are so many different phases to it that it's almost impossible for a referee to make his mind up that quick. For me, it's just pretty simple. Is it deliberate handball or not? And that's the decision of the referee. And I do remember pre-VER that we were moaning about the standard of referees then. So we're never going to be completely happy and we have to sort of accept. But I'd be the first to admit that VAR hasn't worked anywhere near

29:49what they told us it was going to work. I mean, they've gone from not interfering, not re-refereeing, only for the clear and obvious. And that's just totally changed now. And having things at slow motion having things on screens yeah it's just gone so far from what they told us it was going to be to what it is now so yeah I guess I totally understand and I'm with everyone who gets angry with it okay right that's it for all your questions to the rest is football thank you to everyone for sending them in cheers Football. Thank you to everyone for sending them in. Cheers. NBA 2K27. Every game is an opportunity to master your skills. You can't guard me! To put defenders on skates with your bag of crossovers.

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