Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has warned that the club faces a challenging season after a turbulent summer that saw three key players sold and a new head coach appointed. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon have all left St James' Park, while Eddie Howe stepped down and was replaced by Matthias Jaissle.
Guimaraes exit damaging
Shearer admitted that the departure of captain Guimaraes was particularly damaging to the club's status, though he could understand the Brazilian's perspective. "From Bruno's point of view, he's seen Newcastle who have been playing in Champions League football, who've won their first trophy in a long time, and now seeing everyone leave," he told Betfair.
"I guess from his point of view he must think, well hang on, what's going on? Because this isn't a team that's probably going to finish in Champions League again. Because if it was all about selling your best players every season and then replenishing the club again with young ones, then everyone would do that. If it was that easy, everyone would do it."
Window not finished
Shearer stressed that the transfer window remains open and more signings are expected before September 1. Both Jaissle and sporting director Ross Wilson have hinted at further deals, including a replacement for Guimaraes.
"I know there's still three or four weeks left of the window. Newcastle have still got a lot of work to do. And I know they've made some promising young signings and they've got a promising young manager. But it's not always that easy. Trust me, it's not always that easy."
Reality check needed
Shearer believes the club had "gone a bit stale" in the second half of last season and that a reality check may be needed. "I still say from a fan point of view, in my opinion, with what they've brought in and the manager they've brought in, I still think it'll be a very challenging season," he said.
"I think there'll be different views of where Newcastle can finish this season. And I do think it's really important that they have a really good end to the transfer window because yes, they've spent some of the money that's come in for players that have left, but not all of it."
Big ask for Jaissle
Jaissle, who is 38, has had only a few days to work with his players and faces intense scrutiny at St James' Park. "I think the intensity and the scrutiny of Newcastle, and the intensity and the scrutiny of the Premier League makes it a big ask for Matthias Jaissle this season," Shearer said.
"I clearly didn't know a lot about him, know where he's been and what he's achieved and what he's done up to now. But it's a big job for anyone coming in. I don't care, even if he had 25 years of experience. Coming into a situation like this at Newcastle would be tough for you."
