Newcastle United's Shearer puts retirement on hold

Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has postponed his retirement and will play on next season on a player/coach contract.

The 34-year-old had been set to hang up his boots at the end of this campaign in May but has been persuaded to stay for next season by Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, who took over from Bobby Robson in September.

"I was perhaps a bit hasty but did have the full intention to retire," Shearer told a news conference yesterday.

"I'm doing it because if my performances carry on at this level I believe I can do it for another year.

"I sat down and had to assess my performances this season and feel I have contributed a lot more this season than I did last season or the season before."

The record Premier League scorer with 250 goals said he started considering changing his mind six weeks ago after constant badgering by Souness.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am," Souness said. "If all my signings are as good as this they (the fans) will be extremely happy."

Lifelong Newcastle fan Shearer is only nine goals behind 1950s striker Jackie Milburn's club record 200 goals but said his decision was not motivated by trying to break the record.

He had signalled his intention to work in the media after retirement but the fact he has signed a player/coach deal and is working on his coaching badges will refuel speculation he might succeed Souness as Newcastle boss.

Shearer won 63 caps scoring 30 goals but retired from international football after a disappointing Euro 2000. When Sven-Goran Eriksson later took over as coach the Swede tried to make Shearer change his mind, to no avail.

Shearer began his career at Southampton in 1988 before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1992 where he won his only career medal when they claimed the league title in 1995 under Kenny Dalglish.

He then rejected the overtures of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and signed for hometown club Newcastle for a then world record £15 million in 1996.