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.

"Everyone knows I have started my [coaching] badges and the next step is to emphasise to the staff here that nothing changes from my side," said Shearer. "Everything continues exactly the same."

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd was also clearly delighted with the striker's decision to continue playing at the club for another season.

He said: "It's the news every fan wanted to hear and certainly the news Graeme and the board wanted to hear.

"His new contract will read 'player-coach' and we are looking forward to another year of Alan Shearer at Newcastle.

"Like every Geordie, he just gets better and better with age."