Real Madrid's Woodgate: Shearer can manage Newcastle

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate has urged ex-Newcastle teammate Alan Shearer to take over the managerial reigns at St James' Park.

Woodgate told the Independent: "Alan Shearer is an exceptionally unbelievable player."

"There's no doubt he can take over, but I don't know if he will - that's up to him."

Woodgate also dismissed reports that Sir Bobby Robson had lost the Newcastle dressing room.

"Everyone got on well and treated Bobby Robson with the utmost respect for what he's done in the game," he said. "That's just paper talk and it was totally untrue."