Alan Shearer did not have high hopes for Newcastle United heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

Alan Shearer has once again told Newcastle United supporters to brace for a “challenging” season.

As it stands, the Magpies sit 12th in the Premier League. Losing the likes of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes - as well as Eddie Howe - left a huge void to fill at St James’ Park.

A youthful rebuild with an inexperienced manager was a bold move - with many always tipping Newcastle for a sticky season. Shearer went against the grain to predict a mid-table finish before a ball was kicked.

Up to now, the United legend has been proven right ahead of a tricky fixture list for Jaissle and Co. Newcastle face Arsenal (H), Brighton (A), Manchester United (H) and Sunderland (H) after the international break.

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Alan Shearer on Newcastle United

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer reiterated that the Magpies must prepare for a tough campaign. He said: “I said in the first week of the season that I think we're going to have to be patient with Newcastle this year, as tough as it's going to be.

“I do think we'll get a result here and there and we'll get two or three, four bad ones, and then we'll be seeing this and seeing that, but I think that this season is going to be like that. It's going to be a yo-yo season for Newcastle because of all the new incomings, because of how young and inexperienced the manager is in the Premier League and in Newcastle.

“I just think that's where Newcastle are at this moment in time. So, we're just going to have to accept that it's going to be tough times for Newcastle, but I saw little improvements at Fulham. They'll be disappointed at the score and then conceding so soon after scoring, but I saw little improvements.

“He changed one or two things in terms of formation and personnel. There were little improvements and they would have been disappointed not to have come away with three points.”

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‘I don’t think’ - Alan Shearer

Predicting a finish between 12th and 15th, Shearer also pointed towards the new signings that could come in and make an impact. He added: “I don't think we're going to have a good season. I just think it'll be challenging. I think we'll finish anywhere between 12th and 15th.

“I think that's what we have to accept with Newcastle, but if we can just keep on seeing little bits of improvement every now and again, with young players getting better. There's been a lot of money spent at Newcastle and we haven't seen a lot of the players that the money's been spent on, let alone what they can do. So that has to come to fruition at a certain stage of the season.”

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