Alan Shearer is recognised as one of Newcastle United’s best-ever players.
The Geordie made the move to Tyneside in 1996 after several successful years at Blackburn Rovers, where he won the Premier League title.
Newcastle United signed Alan Shearer for £15m, a world-record transfer fee at the time. There’s no doubt that he was worth every penny. Shearer scored 206 goals for the Magpies in 10 years and was managed by Newcastle legends like Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.
However, it could’ve been a completely different story for all parties. Shearer nearly joined Manchester United before Keegan convinced him the move to Tyneside was right for him. Robson also wanted Shearer at Barcelona while he was manager in 1996.
One of the best games Shearer played was the historic ‘Howay 5-0’ game against Man United. After the game Shearer said Newcastle ’embarrassed’ Man United, adding insult to injury.
To this day, Shearer is a huge ambassador for Newcastle and is loved by Toon fans. In 2017, Shearer was asked to name his best-ever Newcastle XI, which included some of the finest players the club has ever seen.
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Alan Shearer’s best-ever Newcastle XI from 2017
Shearer has played with some sensational players in his career and has had the privilege to watch many others in his younger years.
Newcastle’s record scorer was asked to name his best-ever XI for Newcastle’s official website. The striker went for a 4-3-3 formation, picking Shay Given in goal.
He went for a back for of David Craig, Bob Moncur, Jonathan Woodgate and Frank Clark.
Shearer opted for an all-Geordie midfield, with Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley.
“In their pomp, the two Pauls – Gascoigne and Scholes – were the best passers of the ball I ever had with England,” Shearer said.
“Gazza was the very best of his generation, a mad lad but with a big heart and an even bigger talent.
For his attacking three, Shearer picked Keegan, Jackie Milburn and of course, himself.
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“My dad was a Newcastle fanatic and ‘Wor Jackie’ was his hero,” Shearer added.
“So to walk into our house having broken such a great man’s record meant everything to me. I had made my dad proud. I invited Jackie’s widow Laura to my testimonial match as a tribute to him. He stands out like a beacon in United’s history.
“Every Geordie knows what Jackie Milburn means to this club and therefore this is a special time to remember him.
“For another Geordie – this one from a council estate in Gosforth – to overtake Wor Jackie’s goalscoring record is unbelievable for me. It answers anyone who dares to question why I chose Newcastle ahead of Manchester United. I’ve never regretted that decision for a moment.”
If he could, Shearer would have also picked the likes of Malcolm Macdonald and Rob Lee in his side. Shearer played alongside Lee at Newcastle for six years.
Which current Newcastle players could be considered for the best XI
Newcastle have welcomed some sensational players to the club since Shearer picked that list. Players who have become influential figures on and off the pitch.
One player who would undoubtedly be up for discussion is Bruno Guimaraes, who has completely transformed the team since joining in January 2022. Guimaraes was named Newcastle’s captain at the start of the 2024/25 season as a reward for his hard work since joining.
It’s difficult to take out the likes of Gascoigne, Beardley or Waddle because of how influential they were at Newcastle, all three of them have left a lasting legacy on the club.
Elsewhere, the likes of Kieran Trippier could also be considered for a spot in that XI. The right-back was Newcastle’s first signing after the takeover, captaining the Magpies in the 2022/23 season where they returned to the Champions League.
Trippier could cement his Newcastle legacy by helping them win the Carabao Cup in March.
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