Michael Owen has acknowledged that he remains at odds with Alan Shearer over events surrounding Newcastle United’s relegation during the 2008–09 Premier League season, admitting that the disagreement ultimately damaged their relationship.
The former England teammates, who once shared the pitch for both club and country, no longer communicate privately. However, Owen has stressed that there is still mutual respect whenever their paths cross.
The rift dates back to Newcastle’s turbulent relegation campaign in 2008–09, when Shearer was appointed manager in a bid to save the club from the drop. In the decisive final match against Aston Villa, Newcastle needed at least a point to secure survival. Shearer was eager for Owen to start the match, believing the striker’s presence would boost the team’s chances.
Owen, however, declined to begin the game, insisting he was not fully fit after returning from injury. He was eventually brought on for the final 25 minutes, but Newcastle lost 1–0 and were relegated from the Premier League.
In the years that followed, Shearer publicly suggested that Owen could have done more to help the club avoid relegation, downplaying the striker’s concerns about his fitness given the gravity of the situation. Those comments fuelled a long-standing feud between the two former stars.
Reflecting on the episode, Owen has admitted that he regrets publicly criticising Shearer’s management style during their time together at Newcastle. While he maintains that there was no personal animosity, he believes Shearer was wrong in questioning his commitment.
In his autobiography, Owen recalled sensing Shearer’s frustration at the time, particularly the implication that he was more focused on his contract situation than on the club’s survival. He noted that the depth of Shearer’s resentment only became clear months later.
Shearer, for his part, has explained that he felt Owen, despite being in the latter stages of his career, could have taken greater risks for the sake of the team. He argued that the threat of injury was secondary, given that the club was already facing relegation.
Owen has also been critical of Shearer’s short managerial spell, pointing to a record of one win in eight matches as falling short of expectations. During his four seasons at Newcastle, Owen made 79 appearances and scored 30 goals before later moving to Manchester United.
Despite the disappointment of the relegation campaign, Shearer’s legendary status at Newcastle remains intact. The former striker scored 206 goals in 405 appearances for the club and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in its history.
Although the two men continue to disagree about what happened during that fateful season, Owen has emphasised that there is no lingering bitterness—only a difference of opinion that ended a once-close professional relationship.
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