Souness: How I convinced Alan to stay

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness revealed today how he played on Alan Shearer's love for the club as he attempted to persuade him to change his mind and stay on for one more season.

Souness said: "I'm delighted this morning and if all my signings are as good as this then I'll be extremely happy. I've said before I didn't think he was ready to pack it in.

"It's not just Alan Shearer on the pitch I want. I also want Alan around the place, he is an enormous help to me.

"I tried to get into his roots, into his head, telling him, 'This is your club, the club you love, and if you really love it you have got to stay here and help me for another year to be a success and help the club challenge the big boys and win things'. And he has made the right decision for all the right reasons.

"I don't believe it was such a big decision for him. He loves this club, he has a hell of a lot to offer Newcastle - not just goals but every aspect of this club."

Shearer has long being touted as a future Newcastle manager and his new role as a player-coach working alongside Souness and ex-Wales international Dean Saunders looks like the first step along that road.