Duncan Ferguson still can’t believe Newcastle United tried to get rid of £16m ‘class player’
The history of Newcastle United is filled with unforgettable moments, but few resonate as powerfully as the infamous clash between Duncan Ferguson and Ruud Gullit.
What began as a tactical disagreement spiraled into a defining chapter for the club—one that nearly altered the destiny of Alan Shearer’s legendary career on Tyneside. Decades later, Ferguson still can’t believe how close Newcastle came to losing their record-breaking striker, revealing shocking details about Gullit’s controversial plans.
When Ruud Gullit arrived at St. James’ Park in 1998, he carried the weight of expectation. Fresh from an FA Cup triumph with Chelsea, the Dutchman was seen as the glamorous appointment who could restore Newcastle’s fading prestige after the departures of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.
Early signs were promising—Gullit guided the Magpies to the 1999 FA Cup final, though they fell short against Manchester United’s treble-winning side. Yet behind the scenes, tensions simmered.
The 1999-2000 season started disastrously, with Gullit’s relationship with captain Alan Shearer deteriorating rapidly. In a recent interview, Gullit claimed there were misunderstandings between them, but Ferguson’s explosive account paints a far more contentious picture.
The breaking point came ahead of a Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland, when Gullit made the unthinkable decision to drop both Shearer and Ferguson.
“Leaving Alan Shearer Out Is F***ing Ridiculous”
Ferguson, never one to mince words, vividly recalls the confrontation that followed.
“I think Gullit wanted out in the end,” Ferguson told FourFourTwo. “Alan and Gullit were at loggerheads, constantly clashing. I got dragged into it because of Gullit’s comments after the game. I was injured—I wasn’t even expected to start. But leaving Alan Shearer out? That’s f*ing ridiculous.”
The Scotsman didn’t hold back. Storming into Gullit’s office, he unleashed his fury in front of the manager and his assistant. “I told him exactly what I thought,” Ferguson admitted. “To his credit, he took it. But as I was leaving, Alan was just arriving—probably fresh from the school run!”
Newcastle lost 2-1 to Sunderland, and Gullit resigned days later. The fallout was seismic, but what Ferguson revealed next was even more startling.
The Shocking Plan to Replace Shearer
Shearer had joined Newcastle in 1996 for a world-record £16 million, rejecting Manchester United to fulfill his boyhood dream. Yet Gullit, astonishingly, considered moving him on.
“They wanted me to replace Alan,” Ferguson revealed. “I think they believed his best days were behind him, that he wasn’t the same player. But he went on to score another hundred goals for them!”
The notion seems ludicrous in hindsight. Shearer not only stayed but became Newcastle’s all-time top scorer, netting 206 goals in a decade-long career at the club. Yet Ferguson suggests Gullit’s treatment had a tangible impact.
“When people chip away at your confidence, even the best players struggle. Alan was England captain, a class act—but Gullit’s negativity affected him.”
Legacy of a Feud
Gullit’s tenure lasted just 12 months, but its repercussions were lasting. His exit paved the way for Bobby Robson’s arrival, sparking a renaissance that saw Newcastle challenge for titles and return to the Champions League. Shearer, vindicated, cemented his status as a club icon.
Ferguson, meanwhile, remains a cult hero on both Tyneside and Merseyside, where he spent a decade with Everton. As Newcastle prepare to host the Toffees in a crucial final-day clash, the Scotsman faces a dilemma—though his admiration for Shearer and Newcastle’s current quest for Champions League football might sway his allegiance.
What Could Have Been
Had Gullit succeeded in sidelining Shearer, Newcastle’s history could have looked drastically different. Instead, the striker’s loyalty and Ferguson’s defiance became emblematic of a club that thrives on passion, often in spite of its own turmoil.
As Ferguson himself put it: “Thank God Alan stayed. The man was a machine.”
For Newcastle fans, it’s a reminder of how close they came to losing their greatest ever player—and how one fiery confrontation helped ensure his legacy remained intact.