Newcastle look to the future after the drop

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is to have meetings with Alan Shearer this week to work out the way forward for the club following their relegation from the Premier League.

The northeast giants were sent crashing down into the Championship after losing 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on the final day of the season.

It was an end to 16 straight years in the top flight and it left the beleagured Ashley with big decisions to make.

Relegation could cost the club anywhere between 30million and 60million pounds with the sportswear tycoon’s total investment of around 250million pounds over the last two years counting for little.

Shearer, who took over as temporary manager late into the season in a final bid to avoid the drop, admitted that huge mistakes had been made and that massive changes were required very quickly.

Managing director Derek Llambias told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk: “Being relegated from the Premier League is a huge disappointment for everyone involved with Newcastle United.

“We are all hurting and I feel desperately sorry for everyone associated with Newcastle United; for Mike, who has invested heavily in the club, and for all the supporters who have given the team magnificent backing up and down the country all season long.

“Mike and I will sit down with Alan this week to discuss how the club moves forward again, and I hope to be able to say more to our supporters later this week.”

One of the first issues to be resolved will be Shearer’s continued presence or otherwise at St James’ Park after his eight-game reign drew to a close on a dismal note.