what is it they say? theres no smoke without fire? haha who emailed the mail?
Odds slashed on Alan Shearer
to become next Newcastle boss
By Colin Young
Last updated at 8:02 PM on 10th November 2008
Comments (0) Add to My Stories As Alan Shearer's odds of taking over at Newcastle expectedly shortened, midfielder Nicky Butt has admitted players are being kept in the dark about the future of manager Joe Kinnear and the club's long-term ownership.
Shearer's odds fell dramatically from 9-1 to 11-8, heightening speculation the former Newcastle and England captain could again be in line for a sensational return to St James's Park.
Advisers close to the BBC pundit, who turned down a coaching role in Kevin Keegan's coaching line-up last season, say he is still committed to his media work and is mystified by the sudden betting surge.
Scroll down for more
In the frame: Temporary Toon boss Joe Kinnear (left) and club hero Alan Shearer are the bookmakers favourites to land the Newcastle job on a permanent basis
While Shearer's odds have shortened considerably, Kinnear is now the market favourite and he says he wants the St James's Park job full time.
His first contract will run until the Chelsea game at the end of the month but he is hoping owner Mike Ashley will re-new it beyond the end of the season.
Butt, who was named captain by Kinnear in Michael Owen's absence, said the Newcastle squad have no idea who will be in charge in the dressing room or boardroom as Ashley continues to seek a buyer. A consortium from the United States have opened talks with Ashley and are hoping to tie up a deal before the New Year.
More...No-one knows what's going on at Newcastle, blasts Nicky Butt
Joe's ref rant: Mickey Mouse jibe as furious Kinnear goes Toon barmy at Fulham
NEWCASTLE UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB
In the dark: Nicky Butt insists the players want answers over the club's long-term future
Former Manchester United midfielder Butt said: 'No-one knows who's making the decisions at the club at the moment.
'We've got players running out of time on their contracts but no-one can sign a contract, we don't know whether someone's buying the club or not.
'It's the same with the manager - I'm sure he's looking to get himself settled down but at the minute nothing's happening. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
'As players we just get on with it. It's been like that for a while now so we've just learnt to get on with it - I'm sure it's more frustrating for the gaffer because he's in limbo.
'It's something that needs to be sorted out soon.'
Kinnear will find out if he will face an FA charge after branding referee Martin Atkinson 'Mickey Mouse' following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Fulham.
He was banned from the touchline at Nottingham Forest for similar comments made in his final game at the City Ground. That resulted in his suspension when he took over at Newcastle and he was already on an FA warning after his foul-mouthed rant at journalists last month.
FA chiefs have written to the interim Newcastle manager to ask for an explanation of his comments which were made following the defeat at Craven Cottage in which Andrew Johnson scored a controversial penalty after Kinnear claimed Claudio Cacapa was fouled in the build-up to the goal.
