The Magpies legend and record goalscorer was drafted in for the final eight games of the 2008/09 season in a bid to try and save the club from relegation.
Ultimately, Shearer cruelly fell short in his challenge, which started with a 2-0 defeat at home to Chelsea on April 4, 2009.
Indeed, the situation Newcastle currently find themselves in isn’t too dissimilar to when Shearer arrived – apart from under-fire Steve Bruce is likely to stay until the end of the campaign.
Here, we take a look at Shearer’s first starting XI as United boss – and find out what they’re up to now.
9. Peter Lovenkrands
“Signed him on a free, from Germany…” Lovenkrands, 41, left his reserve team manager role at Scottish Premiership champions Rangers in June 2020 with the intention of taking up a coaching position in Japan but Covid-19 travel restrictions have delayed him from doing so. Photo: STRINGER
10. Michael Owen
Several Newcastle fans would argue Owen is a failed author after slamming the club in his latest book ‘Reboot: My Life. My Time’. But asides from that, the 41-year-old has mostly reached our TV screens as a pundit on BT Sport. Photo: ANDREW YATES
11. Obafemi Martins
The Nigerian went two years without a club between 2018 and 2020 following a serious hamstring injury, however the 36-year-old vowed not to retire and resumed his playing career with Shanghai Shenhua. He now plays for Shenhua’s Chinese Super League rivals Wuhan Zall. Photo: ANDREW YATES
12. Damien Duff (on for Lovenkrands)
Duff most notably joined Celtic as reserve team manager before stepping up to become one of Neil Lennon’s first-team assistants in February 2019. Just over a year later, the 42-year-old joined the Republic of Ireland coaching team in January but lasted little over eight matches in his role. Photo: Laurence Griffiths