Alan Shearer given up hope of Newcastle United appointment before new season

Alan Shearer appears to have given up hope that he will be appointed Newcastle boss before the Championship season starts at West Brom on Saturday.

Shearer has headed for Portugal on a family holiday and has no plans to return before the new season starts.

A lack of communication from Newcastle has convinced Shearer to abandon his waiting brief on Tyneside and to take his family on a summer holiday.

Shearer insists to close friends that he hasn't turned his back on his home-town club, but has grown frustrated with the club's failure to sort out the ownership issue. A source close to the former Newcastle and England captain said: "Alan has waited patiently since May to find out if he was going to get the Newcastle job on a permanent basis. But he has heard nothing.

"Managing director Derek Llambias has suggested the club could be sold this week, but Alan can't put his life on hold because there have been so many false dawns.

"He would still love to become Newcastle manager, but he can't wait for ever.

"Hehas gone to Portugal on holiday and the ball is now in Newcastle's court if they want him."