Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson would have been 92 today.
Fans will recognise him as one of the best managers in the club’s history, taking Newcastle United from likely relegation to the Champions League in a season-and-a-half – a similar feat to current Newcastle boss Eddie Howe who miraculously took the Magpies to the Champions League and a cup final in his first full season in charge.
In 2023, Newcastle legend Shola Ameobi compared Howe to Robson citing his willingness to bring young players in the first team.
Robson became Newcastle’s manager in 1999 and made an instant impact in his first home game, beating Sheffield Wednesday 8-0 at St James’ Park. He would spend five years on Tyneside and although he did not win anything, Robson took Newcastle to a UEFA Cup semi-final in the 2003/04 season.
The former Fulham, Ipswich and Newcastle boss was known for getting so much out of his younger players. The likes of Craig Bellamy owe a lot to Robson for giving them a chance in the early stages of their careers.
However, for one player who was deemed one of the club’s best-ever players, his career could have been very different if Robson got his way in 1996.
Sir Bobby Robson wanted Alan Shearer at Barcelona
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer joined Newcastle for a world record fee of £16m in 1996. The Geordie became Newcastle’s record goalscorer with a staggering 206 goals in 405 games. He finished his career at Newcastle after 10 marvellous years.
While his name will go down in history on Tyneside, it could have been a completely different story. In an interview with Sky Sports, Robson revealed that he urged Barcelona to sign Shearer before his move to Newcastle.
“I tried to buy (Shearer),” Robson said.
“When I went to Barcelona, the president said ‘Bobby, we need to fill all the seats in the stadium, that’s 110,000. We need the best centre-forward in the world, do you know where there is one?’
“I said ‘Yes, Alan Shearer’. Within two weeks, he was sold to Newcastle United for £15m.”
Things would turn out alright for Robson at the Spanish giants. After failing to land Shearer, they signed Brazilian Ronaldo who scored 47 goals in 49 appearances under Robson’s tutelage. Barcelona went on to win three trophies that season including the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
It all worked out in the end for Robson who got to manage Shearer at Newcastle for five years.
Eddie Howe matched Newcastle record held by Sir Bobby Robson
Even after his passing, Sir Bobby’s influence is felt around Newcastle. It was revealed that in 2019, Diego Gavilan told Miguel Almiron to join Newcastle. Gavilan was a player Robson signed in 2000, although his time on Tyneside was short-lived, it was enough to convince the Paraguayan to join.
In 2022, Howe matched Robson’s St James’ Park winning streak in a season where the Magpies’ home ground was a fortress.
Newcastle only lost twice at home all season as they returned to the Champions League, something they hadn’t done since Robson was in charge.
There is a reason why Robson has a statue outside St James’ Park – he was loved by the fans, a feeling he felt throughout his time at the club.
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