Alan Shearer makes it clear he couldn’t have worked under Mikel Arteta

Alan Shearer says he would “hate” playing under Arteta

Ex Newcastle and England legend turned pundit Alan Shearer has come out saying he would hate playing under a manager like Mikel Arteta, and has had some pretty choice words to say about the Spaniard. Arteta obviously isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and from the outside maybe the way he portrays himself on the sidelines can be confusing to some and he’s had his fair share of criticism, but Shearer has made it very clear that he wouldn’t want to work under the Arsenal manager and had quite a bit to say about the matter.

Shearer said this in an article written for The Athletic “’I never worked under an Arteta kind of manager,’ he wrote. ‘Someone manically cajoling, telling you exactly where to stand or exactly what to do.”

“I’ve always been of the opinion that if you’re a good player, then you know that stuff anyway. If I felt I needed to drift out to the right wing or the left wing or even drop deep, I would do it myself. And as a captain, I felt I had the authority to tell my fellow players to do something. If it needed saying, I would say it.”

‘Not everybody is like that, though, some footballers are brighter than others. Some are needier than others. Some are more effective when they are given precise instructions and are forced to stick to them. Shouting, repeating, shouting again and reiterating straightforward messages might be the best way to get through.”

“What I wanted from my manager was to be led, to be guided. I wouldn’t have enjoyed being ranted and raved at from the touchline and I can’t remember it happening too many times. Why would I have hated it? Professional pride. You’re playing in front of thousands of people in the stadium and millions at home on television and you don’t want to be embarrassed. It might sound thin-skinned, but teams are delicate. Relationships hold them together.”

And in my opinion, I think he’s getting Arteta’s style of managing mixed up with his passion. Arteta has always been the type of manager who is animated and I’m sure that comes across as a bit much for some people, but for me, I think its exactly what this Arsenal team needed.

Since becoming manager, Arteta has transformed this Arsenal team and although it took a little longer than most would have wanted, it all seems to be falling into place, and his philosophy is clearly working. Last season was a hard one because we did so well but fell short in the final parts of the season, but this time around it seems like we’ve found that level, desire and confidence that we need to go forward and push for the highest honours.

As I said, he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but whatever he’s doing is clearly working. For me, I think Shearer is just complaining for the sake of complaining.

What’s your thoughts Gooners?

Daisy Mae

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Tags Alan Shearer Arteta

62 Comments

  1. There is a slight difference between a manager and a coach, Wenger was actually a manager, his man management skills is second to none, our present gaffer is a coach just what Arsenal needs at the moment.

    The gaffer is a coach who breathe and live every second of the game, meticulous in his instruction, a lively and firey character who’s got the fire in his belly.

    1. Total rot, Gunsmoke!

      MA is both a manager and a coach. You can be and most ARE BOTH. You are wrong to dismiss his managerial qualities so disrespectfully!

      1. No need to wet your pants jon, there is no doubt the gaffer is an excellent coach but his man management skills are virtually none existent, most recent example is Ramsdale/ Raya saga.

        Surely the legendary Frenchman would have handled this differently or avoided it totally, don’t you think

        1. @Gunsmoke
          In judging how the man management skills are, we are as fans left to second hand guessing as we really aren’t in direct touch with what is going on.
          So we judge from a distance by making our own interpretations of what happens with players etc.
          If Arteta really was bad at man management, I think we wouldn’t see the togetherness the players are showing every game. Nor would we see as many of our players committing their long term future to the team/club.
          In fact, a manager or coach with bad management skills will relatively quickly lose the repect of many players. Not just the players, who have been treated badly, but also the respect of the other players, who sees what is going on.
          My interpretaion is, as the current crop of players are generally very happy, and that is a testament to good management.
          But of course, singular players in a big squad, who didn’t get as much game time as they think, they deserve, may be less happy. Only natural. Same with fans, who thinks their favourite player(s) should play more.

          1. AndeersS
            Think you have it twisted, there is nothing thats motivates a person or player like coaching, teach a person to fish and he will respect you for it.

            Have never herd of Pep Guarrdiola passed players talk of him in glowing terms as opposed to the legendary Frenchman Arsne Wenger, but the former is probably the most successful coach on the planet, he is respected out of his method and fear by his players.

            Our players are happy and together because they are properly coach by a young and energetic manager who shows passion with the fire in his belly, and who is smart and hungry, not sure they commit because of the love for the gaffer

            So your theory of respect and long term commitment does not hold water AndresS

            1. Well, you are really just guessing with nothing to support your guesswork.
              The proof is in the pudding.

        2. Really gunsmoke?
          Remember Park Chu Yong? Ashley Cole?

          While MA “throws” away Ramsdale like this, but Raya gives result. So it doesn’t matter.

        3. No I dont think and I dont agree in any way! But that surprises me not at all , as I HARDLY EVER SEE THINGS THE SAME WAY AS YOU DO.

        4. The Ramsdale/Raya situation is likely to be unsatisfying for Ramsdale but is it evidence of poor man management?
          It would be interesting to understand how you think “the legendary Frenchman” would have managed the situation better.
          As for avoiding the situation altogether, if the manager felt that bringing in Raya would improve the team is it then good man management not to do so because it might upset Ramsdale?

          1. David
            Hope am not stoking any flames as have long accepted that the king is dead.
            If the Ramsdale/ Raya situation isn’t a poor sign of man management am not sure what else is, remember the gaffer says he wants two numbers one, and wanted to be able to make changes in a game with goal keepers, this is yet to happen, have you ever think what this could have done to the player, a total unnecessary action taken against a successful goalie?
            Pep Guarrdiola would have done the same thing, but surely not the legendary Frenchman.

            First to comment the legendary Frenchman would not disrupt the apple cart, secondly if he is present with such unpleasant situations he would confines one to the cup competition and the other to the premier league.

            Alex Ferguson once siad Arsne Wenger doesn’t like to mix his players, there was a time in Arsenal history when it was said the B team was playing better than the A team, a slight diversión.

    2. That might be the reason Shearer never played for any big team. His ego and pride bettered his professionalism and ambition. He was happy captaining small club rather than being part with equal status player at bigger club. So he is right in the way that had he been playing under Arteta he would have shown door out of the club just like Auba and Ozil. And about Wenger his philosophy was play beautiful game, but football is not just won by playing beautifully. We can see how Arsenal were going behind each and every year despite heavily investing in squad. How many goals we used to score from set piece? how many times we used to play as per opposition strength or weakness? And there might be 1000 or more tactics that may be involved in football that we are still unaware about which should be taken into consideration in each match. In those days we used to have same game plan each and every game, and that play freely attacking game and got battered so many times by big team as they caught our weakness. So, it takes courage, selflessness, and ambition to play for Arteta and I guess Shearer had none of that to play under Arteta.

      1. Didn’t Shearer win a PL title, the first in fact?
        He played over 60 times for England and scored over 30 goals during that time.
        Yet another example of someone making a personal opinion that doesn’t put MA in a favourable light, being called out for doing such a TERRIBLE thing!!
        It has nothing to do with his ability or who he played for, just his opinion on the style of MA’s management, which he’s perfectly entitled to do and an opinion that I disagree with.
        But out come the knives, accusing him of this and that – what a lot of softies we have as fans, when it comes to MA – who is going a grand job of course.

        1. Shearer won premier league with blackburn and that was best he could get. He scored lot of goals, he was great players and so was Auba and Ozil but its attitude that makes man perfect. No personal pride and embarrassment should come in following your mentor, your teacher. What an nonsense comment from him that a captain can shout at teammates during game and control the game but coach cant do that from sideline! Its just like a commander in chief gets order from king but he wants to control his army in his own way like a traitor. Its not just about personal opinion, being there as tv commentator you should be accountable of what you speak. In modern football Shearer will be thrown out of the team with managers like Arteta, Guardiola or Klopp because playing for whole team and for fans and for manager means much more than playing for own pride or feelings embarrassment by following manager’s command and it’s evident that Shearer had no guts to face the challenge.

        2. Shearer won it in 1995 with Blackburn KEN .
          The winners of the FIRST Prem title were Leeds in 1992.
          Just info for you.

          We won the last old first division, as you will know!

          1. Actually Jon, we both got it wrong!!
            United won the first two PL titles and Blackburn won it the third year.
            Good job I’m not a betting man (except on certainties) as I would have sworn Blackburn were the first team to win it!!

            1. Yes, Blackburn in 1994-5, Ken , the Prems third year. Which means LEEDS won the last old first division , not us, as I WRONGLY SAID , in 1991-2.

              I HAD THOUGHT THE PREM BEGAN IN 91-2, but I was a year early
              The PREM BEGAN THEN IN AUGUST 1992 . And as you said, United won the first two Prems. 92-3,93-4.
              As for being a betting man, I bet on odds that change over weeks or more usually longer terms , months, in longer term markets and only very rarely do I ever touch single game markets.
              I laid a large sum on City right at start of season at 1/2 for the title and bought them back when their odds had lengthened to 7/5, albeit only for a week or so.

              If they lose at Liverpool and we win against Brentford, City wll not be title favourites by Sunday evening IMO.
              Liverpool will, IF both those things transpire.

              WE WILL STILL BE THE OUTSIDERS OF THREE, BUT THE ODDS WILL BE MUCH CLOSER THAN RIGHT NOW.

          2. There have been ten different managers to win the Premier League trophy since its debut in 1992. In the 1991–92 season, the year before the Premier League started, an English manager last won the league. Leeds United won the First Division championship that year under the direction of Sheffield native Howard Wilkinson.

            They ended with 82 points, four more than second-place Manchester United. Wilkinson won his second league championship after joining the Whites in 1988. Let’s now take a look at the List of Premier League Winning Managers:-

            1). Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13)

            2). Arsene Wenger – Arsenal (1997-98, 2000-01, 2003-04)

            3). Jose Mourinho – Chelsea (2004-05, 2005-06, 2014-15)

            4). Pep Guardiola – Manchester City (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22)

            5). Kenny Dalglish – Blackburn Rovers (1994-95)

            6). Roberto Mancini – Manchester City (2011-12)

            7). Manuel Pellegrini – Manchester City (2013-14)

            8). Antonio Conte – Chelsea (2016-17)

            9). Claudio Ranieri – Leicester City (2015-16)

            10). Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool (2019-20)

        3. ken, how quickly people forget or were not around to see how good players like Alan Shearer were.
          This is like saying Matt Le Tissier was rubbish, because he only played for Southampton, or Steven Gerrard was rubbish because he never won a premiership with Liverpool.

  2. He hasn’t given young players an opportunity but as for his behavior is driven by passion to football, nothing wrong with his antics players get more hungier and excited , they are used to him and he guides them to close spaces and become a ball boy when he identify a gap, leave Arteta alone trust the process

  3. Maybe it’s a cultural thing. Most of the foreign coaches in the Epl like Guardiola and Arteta tend to be animated on the touchline whereas their British counterparts appear more reserved.

    1. Onyango
      Generally I would agree with your observation, but Wenger drove me mad due to having virtually no visible passion at all. I have actually found it a breath of fresh air seeing that passion

      I have at times – particularly at the beginning of his time at Arsenal, thought that Arteta was maniacal at times which was a bit OTT, but the team are now pretty steady, have got used to his ways and the results are favourable

  4. I think it is just a difference in management style; Arteta has that Pep type of management style.

    I remember Henry once saying that while playing at Barca he drifted to the other wing to get the ball and ended up scoring. Pep was furious he didn’t keep to his area and benched him at halftime.

    Wenger style was to give players some freedom to express themselves within his system, not to control everything.

    It is about results, that’s what matters; not whether one way is “better” than another. What would “better” resemble anyway,? How would you determine that, based on what?

  5. So what? Who cares what Shearer, a player from a different football age- almost a dinosaur age, in football terms – thinks? I dont

    But he wil be almost alone among CURRENT players I suggest, as almost all top players, unless already at City or Liverpool, would give their right arm(metaphorically) to play under the magnetic guidance and coaching of Arteta.
    Reality!

    And btw JA, can we stop being fed these irrelevant so called “thoughts” of football dinosaurs from God knows how long ago, as football today has moved on oceans from way back when Tyrannoshearer Rex played.

  6. As for management styles, as a keen and lifelong close observer of human nature – given that changing eras need changing styles of management too – I can’t help NOTICING and giving my full consideratioin to what I notice.

    And what I DO NOTICE is that Pep, Klopp and Arteta are not only the three most successful current Prem managers, but are also the most demonstrably passionate.

    Coincidence then? Or COACHING GENIUS!!
    Were I a top player, I would relish playing under ANY of those three.

    But would I want to work under Ange(Stoneface) Postecoglu? Not in a milion years. And NOT because he is the Spuds manager, but because he shows the passion of a diseased lemon, at least publicly!

    1. lol. come on admiral, you’re too rash. “passion of a diseased lemon”? Oh my god, lol.

      1. ” ADMIRAL”? Nothing rash about me either as I think before writing , always.
        And though you show your envy, my choice of a diseased lemon perfectly sums up that sourfaced old Aussie who manages Spuds with the invisible passion of an aged vicar

        1. I’ve heard you have the figure of Adonis and the beauty of Cleopatra Jon, but your certainly not a PL manager.
          Vanity, of course, comes without saying!!

  7. I believe that every human being has his /her own make up written in their DNA.
    It is pointless and childish to call people names just because they don’t agree with what others think – actually it makes them look quite silly.

    Shearer, in his great playing career, was never a great celebrator of his goals and he came over as not being surprised when he scored – a natural one might say.
    Ian Wright, on the other hand, bubbled and burst with delight when he scored – another natural one might say…. just a different personality as is perfectly clear when they appear together on MOTD – I listen to both of them and enjoy the contrast.

    There is no right or wrong way to celebrate, it’s down to the individual.
    Where I think Shearer is wrong, is the fact that he believes MA’s tactics from the bench, influences every second of the game.
    All the preparation for any game has taken place during the week before and every professional player (at PL level) will know his job when the game starts.
    MA’s “antics” on the bench is his way of letting his passion out – if every player was being screamed at for not doing his job, we would have a completely new starting eleven every week.
    AW was the complete opposite and I suggest Shearer would have enjoyed playing for him, as he told players to express themselves and watched them do just that, waiting for the dressing room to express his views.

    There isn’t a right or wrong way, we have MA doing a great job, we live with his passion and he’s reflecting our own desires.
    AW was a colder fish and we lived with his passion as well.

    1. Wenger was like why should we have Ronaldo when we Chamak! Why should we have Yaya toure when we have Coquelin! He used to question fan where to spend as he felt no player outside were better than his current squad. He gave freedom to players to express on their own and so defenders were expressing themselves as attacker and so on. Did we forget that how we lost 8-2 to manu, 6-3 to manc snd multiple times lost by 4 or 5 goal margin to lpool, chrlsea. Even small club came and had confidence that they could break us down if they get on our nerves and pressurize us. How we lost carling cup final to Birmingham city?? All because he could not ascertain his players of their responsibility, he could not inject that strictness and pitch discipline in his players and players follow their own freedom. There was no common thinking among players and positional sense. I just wonder how he could let same mistakes happen again and again for 8-10 yrs. Shearer would like to play for wenger because he could wander whereever he wants and have cup of coffee during game, or give a nap during game because nobody is there to shout about and remind him of his responsibilities. Thank god we have Arteta who can shout and remind players on persistent basis and motivate players and not let them lose themselves during the match.

      1. Ah. So you forget how we were bottom of the league under MA 3?
        How we were knocked out of Europe for the first time in two decades under MA?
        How we finished 8th two seasons in a row, our worst positions in two decades, under MA?
        How city beat us 5-0 under MA?
        How we bottled the PL, even though we were 8 points and a game in hand over city under MA?
        How we have been knocked out of the fa cup in the 3rd and 4th rounds under MA?

        As for you stupid and childish remark about Shearer and a cup of coffee – I despair that we have fans with this kind of mentality. Just go and do your homework on Shearer’s playing career and stop making a fool of yourself.

        1. You seem to be as delusional as wenger. Do you want me to count and remind you of all the failures in those 16 trophyless seasons! How we bottled our title to lowly leceister city and countless other failures which will not even fit in one page despite managing for one of greatest club at that time and being one of top managers. And actually to argue Arsenal being in bottom of the league after 3 games is very childish when we finished 5th that season. You are a coward like shearer who could not appreciate good things. Arteta at least acknowledge his mistakes and try to amend it for the sake of the team and dont remain delusional that his team is perfect and has ever been improving our squad. To be able to compete with the best team around is already something that we forgot in Wenger days so grow up and appreciate the things which is being done in the right way.

      2. Here’s Alan Shearer explaining to everyone why he’s not a manager. Expecting good players to just ‘know’ when to do what, and/or assuming that it’s the captain’s job from the pitch to identify and solve these issues. Believing that the manager’s job is simply to vaguely ‘guide’ the team…
        It’s not until you hear these outdated beliefs reiterated, that you realize just how far football has come, tactically, since Alan Shearer was relevant.

        1. Exactly! Football these days is totally evolved. Alan and some on here happened not to have figured out.

  8. A captain sometimes does this and it’s acceptable also they are usually called great captains when they play well and are vocal throughout a game directing their teammates. So I see this as a positive if someone is doing that from the touchline, it’s a unique position as they don’t have to worry about their own performance and they have a birds-eye view while also being the one who introduces the tactics There’s no one more qualified as our manager and Arteta was a captain in the past

  9. not his fault does days English players were too proud and thought they better ..thank God for foreign managers pep kloop MA and Co.. who are nurturing talents for England

  10. I think if AS did have some of MA traits then he would have kept Newcastle up in the 2009 season
    He led them well to the 1st division 😊
    Onwards and upwards

    1. Remind me how many games he had to save them from relegation AB and what state was the club in when he took over?
      Or does neither of the above come into your thinking?

      1. Ken
        Just stating a fact and you are correct.
        He was a dead man walking when he took over
        Loyalty to a club he loved got the better of him to take on an Impossible task
        Just stating a fact 😊

        1. I know it’s a fact AB, that’s why I didn’t question it, but I wondered why you didn’t feel it necessary to explain the facts?
          Should you not admire him and not ridicule him AB – he didn’t let his “ego” stop him from trying to do the impossible did it?

          1. Ken
            I am not sure about the total facts surrounding when he took over
            Remember he had a decent squad
            A lot of stuff going around regarding Chris Hughton
            Sure he had 8 to 10 games to save them but didn’t
            Hey.. I would never ridicule any manager regardless if I liked them or not
            A tough gig if you are a.manager of any club plus when they talk pressure up the top its tougher at the bottom
            Its a Damned if you.do and damned if you don’t job
            Onwards and upwards

        2. I would not call it loyality. I would rather call this love for comfort zone which he never wanted to leave, love for own pride and not having courage to feel the embarrassment.

          1. So it was his “comfort zone” to take over a club, with just 8 games left, in the relegation spot and he felt comfortable doing it?
            You really do come out with some weird opinions Vs, I won’t bother anymore!!

          2. Vz, what a load of rubbish “love for his own pride and not having courage to feel the embarrassment”. Alan Shearer had nothing to prove and took on the management of Newcastle United in a dire situation out of loyalty to his boyhood club.

  11. Its always the ones who failed miserable at coaching that always running thier mouth and throwing shades at Arteta.
    I dont see this kind of shades thrown at pep or klop.
    ARTETA will win a major trophy in no distant time and he will be respected and wont be indirectly talked down at in the name of trying to air unsolicited opinions

    1. Running his mouth??
      Good God man, all he’s said is he wouldn’t want to play for Mikel as he doesn’t like his management style.
      Is that such a terrible thing to say?
      So what?
      Is MA becoming untouchable now?
      I’m certain MA won’t lose any sleep over his comments, unlike you, who seems to be losing it over an opinion that doesn’t affect The Arsenal or MA in any way.

      1. Ken – People are making mountain out of mole hill on this. If the role were reversed and some of our legend said they don’t want to play for Mourinho or Klopp, most people on here will think it’s valid point. It’s just a preference of managerial style and not attack on Arteta. After all it’s not like managerial style has won anything yet for people to lump him together with Pep, Klopp, wenger and etc.

        1. Absolutely Ibrahim – the “don’t say anything against Mikel” softies are out in force within this article for sure!!

      2. Its not just about opinion but its about selfishness he showed in the comment. He basically said managers has no role during game and players should decide themselves when to run left or right or drop deep. Just imagine if players are not tasked and two players have same feelings and both move to right leaving left flank wide open then how easy it will be for opponents to launch counter and find spaces. It’s understandable why shearer is only a commentator and not a coach.

  12. For me, this is distraction. Some of these pundits more often than not criticize our coach and players unconstructively. JA should do well and play down on the opinions of these opposing players turned pundits and give more premium to our legends who we can learn from their experiences.

  13. Arsenal and Arteta are on a high at the moment so any criticism from outside interests is sure to bounce off as irrelevant. I do get what Shearer is saying though and I mostly share his views but if he and his team can pull off the title, then, who cares?

  14. Well, he has spoken what all players who left our club under Mikel’s rebuild felt back then. it happens to be the direction Football is heading, which explains why teams with the too much freedom fail to last long at top. Even players with too much flair,talent and lack of positional discipline won’t make it in Elite football these days. Shearer happened to have revealed he’s such player, hence won’t make it in today’s football!

    1. Really Vamos? So his record as the highest goalscorer in the PL, his 60 plus caps, his 30 plus international goals and his PL winners medal came about because he lacked positional discipline?

      Now can you list the ex players who have said what Shearer has said about playing under MA?

      1. HE CAN’T KEN, AS THEY DONT EXIST, AS WE BOTH KNOW!

        He has no actual knowledge, even though he claims to know, and knows little about football from before the VERY recent years that he has been a fan.

        He is speaking tosh about modern players and I no longer think it worthwhile debating with him, as he is ,in football terms, a greenhorn!

        1. I agree Jon – if only fans didn’t make things up and then dress them up as facts, rather than opinions!!
          By the way, I investigated the claim that we had 50 plus midfielders when Ozil signed for us and THIS was also declared “a fact.”
          In “fact” we had eight, but I really can’t be bothered to write the article naming the squad and the players – it’s just basically checking facts before printing.
          Of course, we get it wrong if we DON’T check sometimes, like Blackburn being the first club to win the PL!! 🥴😡

          1. ken and Jon, anyone who makes a statement that Alan Shearer “won’t make it in today’s football”, needs to comply with the adage that:
            “It is far better to stay silent and be thought a fool, than opening your mouth and confirming the fact.”

      2. I clearly stated “the direction football is heading” which means it’s drifting away from yesteryears when Shearer achieved those feats of his. What he said on a Mikel type of manager clearly indicates he’s not into coaching dictatorship, hence his lack of positional discipline if at all he was instructed back then, given as he said did’nt work with a dictating manager. On our departed Ex players, it’s pretty obvious they could’nt cope with Mikel’s style of management, therefore their struggles in carrying out his instructions, i think Pepe mentioned it in an interview saying in a cryptic way Mikel told him “to do this do that…..”, same with Hector and Kieran who admitted he struggled with Mikel’s playing style. Auba took it as an opportunity to aim at Mikel when he arrived at Chelsea saying “he likes young boys he can control” or something of sorts.

        1. Hearsay only and your own mistaken conjecture.

          You have no FIRM actual knowledge of what those players who could not make the grade under MA said when they left.

          Just be honest, instead of claiming you know, when clearly you dont, and then you will get more respect on here
          Its no crime not to know things, but it IS arrogant to claim you know from past happenings,if you do not.

          1. Why did’nt they make the grade under Mikel then? if not their inability to withstand or adhere to his demands? guess you read KT’s comments on Mikel instructing him to play inverted FB or Pepe’s both of which were published on here. Auba’s dig at Mikel’s dictatorship? Good night, i won’t be replying on this any further.

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