The Sun Newspaper

THE Singaporean group trying to buy Newcastle want Toon legend Alan Shearer as manager.
Cousins Terence and Nelson Loh head the Bellagraph Nova Group and believe they are at an advanced stage of buying out owner Mike Ashley.

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Alan Shearer could be set for a sensational return to Newcastle UnitedCredit: Rex Features

The investor group on Sunday said they had “enlisted the help of” Magpies hero Shearer.
A BN Group insider claimed: “We’ve offered Alan the manager’s position, or whatever he would like to do in the club.
“He has already accepted to work with us if our takeover goes through.”
Shearer was unavailable for comment but the group said in a statement: “We are at an advanced stage of negotiation having already provided a Letter of Intent, as well as a Proof of Funds on August 10.

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Shearer is Newcastle’s all-time record scorer with 206 goalsCredit: Reuters

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Shearer previously took charge of Newcastle in 2009 Credit: PA:Empics Sport
“In addition to the engagement to Newcastle Football Club and community, we have enlisted the help of England captain Alan Shearer and former player Michael Chopra.
“BN Group founders declared their willingness to massively contribute to the development of the club through their solid and international structure and a combined business/sport- devoting mindset.”

Match of the Day pundit Shearer will not want to take pal Steve Bruce’s job at St James’ Park.
The club’s 206-goal all-time top scorer had an ill-fated spell in charge in 2009, with Toon relegated after his eight-game reign.

The private equity firm, based in Paris, remains in talks with Ashley and are confident of striking a deal.
They are locked in discussions over Ashley’s £340million asking price.
BN Group believe that figure is too high but the Sports Direct owner is desperate to sell after the failed Saudi Arabian bid.
The Asian finance company was founded by the Loh cousins and businesswoman Evangeline Shen.
Their website boasts of revenues of £9billion, with investments in technology, new media and healthcare.
One of its subsidiaries holds the £78m world record for the highest ever online, single jewellery transaction.

While Tyneside was still in a state of mourning following the Saudis withdrawing their bid, Chopra (below), who played for Newcastle and Sunderland, hinted at his involvement in a separate takeover.
Earlier this month, the Geordie tweeted: “Get the cans from the bin and put them back in the fridge. Watch this space.”
And last week it emerged that Chopra, 36, held meetings with the BN Group at their Paris headquarters.

Micky Quinn questions why Newcastle Saudi Arabian bidders were put under such scrutiny compared to other club’s owners More

MANCHESTER CITY are eyeing Mauricio Pochettino amid doubts over Pep Guardiola’s future.
The former Tottenham boss is also on Barcelona’s radar with Quique Setien set to be sacked.

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Man City want Mauricio Pochettino if Pep Guardiola does not agree a new deal
But Poch has admirers at City and would love to stay in England.
He knows Guardiola, reeling from Saturday’s Champions League exit to Lyon, has just ten months left on his contract.
So far Guardiola has not committed to staying beyond next summer, which could soon leave City in limbo.
The club hierarchy would ideally like him to extend his deal and continue – despite another Euro failure.

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The Spaniard has just ten months left on his City deal
His close friends at City – chief exec Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain – are keen for him to stay on.
But Pep admitted last month chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak was “not happy” with their effort in the league – and the failure to win the FA Cup and Champions League since will not have helped.

Poch, 48, is well known to the Catalan powerbase at the Etihad from his days working in Barcelona at Espanyol.
He is believed to have his admirers behind the scenes – and his record in Europe will not have gone unnoticed.

Last season he guided Spurs to the Champions League final for the first time in their history – although they ultimately lost to Liverpool.
Meanwhile Guardiola’s failure to get past the quarter final stage for a fourth successive year at City is bound to be a source of huge frustration.
Poch still has a home in Hertfordshire and has said when he left Tottenham in the autumn that he would ideally like to manage in England again.
He had always previously suggested he could not manage Barcelona out of loyalty to Espanyol – but his views may have changed after nine months out of the game.
He was always viewed as a possible Manchester United manager but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is safe for the foreseeable future now.
Taking over from Guardiola and achieving the European glory which the club craves would appeal to him and be a challenge that he relished.

He has always spoken publicly of his respect for the City boss – although privately he resented living in his shadow in Catalonia.
He would not be the only name in the frame to succeed Pep though and it would be a hugely attractive job when he does go.
RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann is another whose European exploits will have caught the eye of the City top brass.

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