Was Bellamy The Stumbling Block For Shearer ?

Cardiff City have failed to agree terms with former Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer after the managerial rookie described talks as ‘unsuccessful’, despite praising the clubs stature and vision for the future.

It is apparant that alks were in a late stage with Shearer and that the board had provisionally agreed to his significant wage demands and required transfer budget. However, one possible stumbling block is the sour relationship between Shearer and Cardiff City favourite Criag Bellamy.

Bellamy made a big impact at the club during his loan spell last year, but it was perhaps in the dressing room and behind the scenes that his influence was most felt. He immediately became a key counsel for TG and Vincent Tan and flew to Malaysia after the failed season where he fed back on the seasons, and Dave Jones’ failings.

It is known that our owners are keen to keep Bellamy, and also offer him further roles as part of the backroom staff. It is thought that Bellamy politely declines that offer, preferring instead to concentrate on his playing career but a coaching role in 2 years time remains a definite possibility.

Bellamy is adamant he wants to come back as a player this season, but Manchester City are rightly insistent that a permanent deal be done. bellamy has been in regular contact with Man City’s heirarchy but the Eastlands club are keen to see a return and have quoted a £4m fee. That, plus Bellamy’s huge wage would appear to kill any deal dead but there are signs that Manchester City could be talked down somewhat, while Bellamy is also prepared to take a massive pay cut.

There is a long way to go, but both Cardiff City FC and Criag Bellamy are pulling out all the stops to make a deal happen. And that fact could have been enough to gazump the Shearer partnership. His relationship with Bellamy has been strained since Craig blamed him for undermining Bobby Robson’s tenure – leading to his departure from the club. Further squabbles centred around disciplinary issues and a series of mocking texts reportedly sent to Shearer.

Whilst Bellamy has always spoken of his respect for Shearer, the reverse is far from true and Shearer has continued to speak in public of Bellamy’s faults. If the board insisted on pursuing the deal, Shearer could quite rightly be far from happy.

Shearer is in the past now. and was barely ever mentioned in connection with the club, save for a hectic 48 hour period. The search for the new manager continues but must be speedily resolved by CCFC – the longer the wait goes on, the more difficult the new man’s task will be.