Alan Shearer set to be Newcastle manager following US takeover

Alan Shearer is being lined up as Newcastle United's next boss when the club is sold to a US-based tycoon.

The Toon legend is the new front runner after his odds of taking change at St James' Park yesterday tumbled from 9-1 to 2-1, making him favourite ahead of interim manager Joe Kinnear.

La Galaxy owner and sports magnate Philip Anschutz, who took David Beckham to the States and has a £5billion fortune, is one of the investors looking to buy the club from Mike Ashley (below) for a cut-price £230million. Anschutz's AEG group owns the O2 Arena in London, is the world's second largest host of music and entertainment events, has a half share of MLS side Houston Dynamo, several ice hockey teams and a 50 per cent holding in Swedish football club Hammarby.

Two serious bidders remain in the race and other US tycoons with sporting interests include Clark Hunt, owner of FC Dallas and NFL outfit Kansas City Chiefs who is a rival of Anschutz.

Insiders on Tyneside have been told to expect the club to be in American hands by the end of the year.

Ashley is willing to reduce his original asking price of about £300m because of the global financial crisis. A sale at around £230m would not give him a profit.

Shearer has made it clear he wants a shot at management.

He has yet to finish his UEFA Pro licence and would need an experienced older head as a coach alongside him.

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