Alan Shearer likely to accept ambassadorial role at Newcastle

Alan Shearer is set to be handed an ambassadorial role at Newcastle United following the successful takeover of the club by a consortium made up PCP Capital Partners, David and Simon Reuben and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

A legend in the north east after scoring 206 goals in a decade long spell at the club between 1996 and 2006, Shearer has already hailed the ending of Mike Ashley's 14-year tenure as owner as a "special day" for the club's supporters - citing a continued lack of ambition and willingness to compete over the past decade and a half.

But his support of the takeover may extend further than that. The Telegraph report that Shearer is likely to return to St. James' Park as an ambassador, where he'll be tasked with helping to promote and advise the club's new owners.

New director Amanda Staveley is said to have contacted Shearer already, and a productive conversation may see him accept a position if he's able to work it around his busy media schedule.

The 51-year-old had a short spell as interim manager in 2009, but was unable to help his beloved Newcastle fend off relegation to the Championship. Since then, he's been an increasingly vocal critic of Ashley's ownership, and addressed the need for change in a column for BBC Sport following the takeover's confirmation.

"All we've done is tick along and survive for 14 years," Shearer said.

"We've had no real ambition, we've survived, cup competitions have been non-existent and this city and this football club and our fans deserve better.

"The fans are loyal, they love their football club and their life is Newcastle United. It all depends on whether Newcastle win on a Saturday. They work hard all week to spend their money on the club, so I understand why there is so much happiness in the city today and I feel exactly the same.

"Our fans also need to know that they matter, because they haven't for 14 years, so today is special for them."

Shearer's legendary status on Tyneside is well known, but his Premier League legacy also remain intact. To this day he remains the division's highest individual goalscorer having bagged 260 goals during an illustrious 14-year career in the division.

He even led Blackburn to Premier League glory in 1995, but was unable to do the same for his hometown club - whom he joined for a then world record fee of £15m.