Former Newcastle defender John Beresford believes the club must follow the example of Aston Villa and invest in young British talent if they are to achieve long-term success.
Beresford, who twice helped the Magpies to second place in the Premier League, has also followed former team-mate Rob Lee in backing Alan Shearer to be given the manager's job on a permanent basis.
"I would love to see Newcastle go down the route with the younger element, but British players. If I was to give a blueprint I would say Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa," Beresford told PA Sport.
Shearer came in for the final eight games of the season but was unable to prevent the club from slipping into the Championship.
And Beresford believes a combination of Shearer and a radical overhaul of their recruitment policy could finally bring success to Tyneside.
"There are some fantastic players in the youth teams at Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea who won't get into the first team," he added.
"Someone like Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, I would be asking if we could have him on loan and with Alan Shearer in charge you have got the pull.
"That's what I want to see, I don't want to see someone sign foreigners, you are gambling again, get the kids in and allow them to develop.
"And Alan is the only person who will be given the time to do that. Even if they suffer a few defeats he will be given time, but if they bring in another manager he is going to be under massive pressure."
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I'm sorry to say but the club got what it deserved. Take a look at what happened at Man City when Peter Reid was sacked as manager when they were is 7th posistion early in the season. That year they got relegated and subsequently ended up in div 3. Sound familiar. I'm no grat fan of big Sam but if you had stuck with him you would have stayed up. Newcastle has a big fan base but you are not a big club so why do you act like you should be Prem challangers. What have you won in the last 50 years!! That idiot that was seen on TV lambasting big Sam must feel really pleased with himself. Ashley has made mistakes and it has cost him personally millions so he is entitked to make them. I am genuenly sorry that you got relegated because I have had some great times at St James's but you need to get a grip. I can name at least eight clubs in the prem who should finish above you on past achievments. Consolidate, get rid of the underachievers and lighten your bills. At least Barton has said he wants to stay and fight he's got balls if nothing else. as for the others they won't be a huge loss as they took you down! Good luck and hope to see you next year back in the prem. PS I know I don't need to say this but get behind the boys because if you do in that atmosphere you will come straight back.
Shearer isn't the man for the job. I respect his loyalty for the club he loves but he should look at the bigger picture and what's best for the club.
Keeping Shearer would be just another mistake. Get rid of the emotion and get a proper coach. Shearer won't get Newcastle back.
Bad times ahead.................. and still no word if Shearer is staying.
What John is forgetting is that home-grown talent invariably costs a fortune; and if he hadn't noticed, we're skint!
Look how much it cost villa to sign young and milner; in excess of £20 million - we won't even have that much, and we have to build an entire squad!
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