Newcastle's Keegan tries to heal Shearer rift

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Kevin Keegan is ready to offer Alan Shearer a place on Newcastle's coaching staff despite the breakdown of his relationship with the former England striker.

Keegan made contact with Shearer for the first time in 18 months on Friday to ask if he was interested taking a backroom role at St James' Park.

They fell out in 2006 after Keegan decided not to go to Shearer's testimonial match, but the Newcastle manager is keen to bury the hatchet.

"I would like to think there is no animosity there but if you are asking me if Alan rings me as much as he used to, then no he doesn't," Keegan said.

"I couldn't come to Alan's testimonial as I was on a family holiday in the US and I didn't come back for it. Things like that, sadly, may have affected...