Keegan blow as Shearer says 'no' to Newcastle

Keegan told Shearer he could tailor his own role on Tyneside, but the former Newcastle striker is so concerned by the lack of stability that he has decided against any involvement.

Shearer was told he could be first-team coach, reserve coach or striker coach during talks with Keegan and he spent the week mulling over his options.

Despite Keegan's return to Tyneside as manager, the revolution has yet to gather pace and Shearer fears that the club are heading for more turmoil.

Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that Dennis Wise held talks with Keegan over their respective roles at the club, but the lines of demarcation remain blurred.

However, Wise has made it clear he will be making decisions on the backroom staff.

The former Leeds boss, who took up his role as executive director last Wednesday, will begin his new job with a complete overhaul of the academy.

Wise wants to make the highly-rated Paul Hart, who is academy director at Portsmouth, his first major signing at Newcastle.

Hart has a brilliant reputation in the game after his work at Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Wise will make an approach to Pompey this week and Hart is expected to be interviewed for the job before next weekend.

"The owner not only wants to bring the best players here, he wants the best young players as well," Wise said.

"He wants to get them from wherever he can. He wants it to grow. That's what he feels is the right way to go.

"It's something we need to build and take on. We need to get as much young talent as possible at this football club."

Keegan admitted Newcastle may have to buy in their young talent.

He said: "I don't think there's any doubt they haven't covered the youth policy here well and it's not the fault of the people in the academy. It's just the policy they have had under the previous regime.

"Everybody knows that much as you dislike paying money for kids, that's what happens at virtually every other club."

While Wise will decide on the backroom staff and the academy, he has assured Keegan he will not interfere with first-team affairs.

"I'm not here to be involved in the first team," Wise said.

"I'm not here to manage. I'm here to help Kevin as much as possible with bringing young players through and also recommending certain players to him.

"He will say Yes or No, He has the final word, no one else. I'm not going to do things like bring players in behind his back. I'm not into that."