Talk of Newcastle candidates

Gerard Houllier and Alan Shearer have both been tipped as candidates to take the place of sacked Sam Allardyce. Shearer has admitted that he would be interested in the job, while Houllier has a role at the French FA.

The FFF have confirmed that Ashley would face no such resistance over Houllier if he wanted to return to club management.

"I would not stand in Gérard's way if there was something else he wanted to do. I am not surprised he gets offers," FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalette told the Daily Express.

"He turned one or two down to rejoin us and they were better financially than we could offer him."

Meanwhile, the former Newcastle number two, John Carver, is backing Alan Shearer to take the manager's job solo, claiming that experience is not a necessity.

“It’s a no-brainer. The fans want him and the club needs him,” Carver told The Daily Star.

“I can’t understand this argument about Alan lacking experience because that isn’t going to change in the next few years.

“Let’s face it, he’s not going to serve his apprenticeship in the lower divisions. So when the Newcastle job next comes up he will be in exactly the same position.

“He’s as ready now as he’ll ever be.”