Newcastle's Premier League Managers Ranked As Players - Worst To Best

1. Alan Shearer

Newcastle United Manager: 2009 (Caretaker) Position: Striker Clubs Played For: Southampton (1988-92), Blackburn Rovers (1992-96), Newcastle United (1996-2006) League Appearances (Goals): 559 (283) International Side (Caps/Goals): England (63/30) Honours (As A Player): 1994-95 Premier League Title (Blackburn Rovers)

Arguably a controversial choice as number one - due to the fact Kenny Dalglish was one of the best footballers in the history of English football - but Alan Shearer just edges the coinflip. A man who netted 283 league goals in 559 games, the Premier League's record scorer was an out-and-out centre-forward who loved nothing more than to plant an unstoppable header on the ball or smash a fierce shot past the reach of the opposition goalkeeper. Dalglish was undoubtedly a more skilful and talented player, but Shearer was a finisher the like of which English football has rarely seen - and that's why Newcastle United paid a then-world record £15 million to bring him back to Tyneside in 1996. Although his medal haul does not even come close to Dalglish's - he claimed just a solitary Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers - Shearer was more important to the sides he played in than the Scot was to his. Particularly during his time at Newcastle, but also at Blackburn, Shearer was often surrounded by average footballers - and he was left to win matches almost by himself. An icon on Tyneside, Shearer also netted 30 times in 63 England games and he captained Newcastle for more than half-a-decade, becoming the club's record scorer with 206 goals. His eight-game spell as Newcastle United manager may have been nothing short of a disaster, but Shearer's finishing ability was unrivalled. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.