Former England strikers Michael Owen and Alan Shearer maintain a relationship of stony silence, with Owen admitting the pair do not converse when they meet.
The Handshake That Says It All
In a candid new revelation, Michael Owen has laid bare the extent of his strained relationship with fellow football icon Alan Shearer. The 46-year-old has confirmed that while the pair will shake hands if their paths cross, no words are exchanged, bringing a nearly twenty-year feud into sharp focus.
This frosty dynamic stems from their time together at Newcastle United during the 2005/06 Premier League season, a period that should have been a celebrated partnership but instead sowed the seeds for a lasting division.
The Relegation Clash That Started It All
The core of the dispute dates back to a critical match in May 2009. Newcastle, then managed by Shearer, needed at least a point against Aston Villa to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Owen was a key player in Shearer's squad, but a disagreement over fitness sparked a lasting conflict.
Shearer wanted Owen to start the crucial fixture. However, Owen informed the manager before kick-off that he did not feel physically capable of completing the full 90 minutes. Consequently, he was introduced as a substitute with only 25 minutes remaining and could not prevent a 1-0 defeat that confirmed Newcastle's drop to the Championship.
Shearer's perspective, shared on the Match of the Day podcast, was clear. "I felt he could have done more at Newcastle in my time when I was the manager," he stated. Shearer argued that given the club's dire situation, the risk of injury was irrelevant.
Contradictory Memories and Public Spats
Owen's recollection of events, given in a 2019 talkSPORT interview, differs significantly. He claimed he advised Shearer to use him as a late substitute if a goal was needed, framing it as a tactical suggestion rather than a refusal to play. "He took it in some way that I didn't want to play. It is sad for everybody. I felt like the scapegoat," Owen said.
The disagreement has spilled onto public platforms multiple times. In one notable social media exchange, Shearer posted a clip of Owen admitting he was eager to retire at Newcastle, captioning it: "Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week..."
Owen fired back by referencing Shearer's own past, stating: "Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate. I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool."
A Lasting Chill and Newcastle's Current Focus
Speaking recently to Midnite Sports, Owen summarised the current state of affairs. "Whenever I see Shearer I shake his hand, and he shakes my hand," he said. "We don't have conversations and to be honest, we just agree to disagree. Deep down I actually really like him, but he made a massive mistake saying what he said."
The revelation comes as Shearer's attention will be firmly on his beloved Newcastle United's Premier League campaign. The Magpies, currently sitting in 11th place after six wins, six defeats, and five draws from their opening 17 games, face a tough test against Manchester United.
