By Salma El-Sakka
Premier League all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer has acknowledged that his record of 260 goals will likely be broken, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland the most immediate threat.
Record under threat from Haaland
Shearer, 56, scored his 260 goals across 14 seasons for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. Haaland has netted 120 Premier League goals in four-and-a-half seasons and could surpass the tally if he remains at Manchester City. Former Tottenham forward Harry Kane reached 213 before moving to Bayern Munich in 2023. “I’m sure it will be broken one day, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts,” Shearer said in an interview for BBC’s The Football Interview. “If we can get Haaland out to Real Madrid or somewhere like that in the next couple of years then it should be alright.”
Newcastle roots and return
Shearer left his hometown for Southampton at age 15, a move he now reflects on as a parent. He joined Blackburn in 1992 under Kenny Dalglish, winning the Premier League title, before returning to boyhood club Newcastle in 1996. He scored 206 goals in 405 appearances for the Magpies, becoming a club legend. Shearer still attends matches at St James’ Park as a fan, often wearing a cap to avoid being recognised during the walk from a local pub to the stadium.
Brush with management at Cardiff
After retiring, Shearer served as interim Newcastle manager for the final eight games of the 2008-09 season, but the club was relegated. He later interviewed for and was offered the manager’s job at Cardiff City, but withdrew after questioning the move. “I thought, ‘what am I doing here?’” he recalled. That ended his managerial ambitions, leading him to a career in punditry.
Media career and Match of the Day demands
Shearer is now a regular pundit on Match of the Day, co-commentates on England matches, and co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. Travelling from Newcastle to Salford for the Saturday broadcast means a 19- to 20-hour day. “You’re meant to be at your brightest and your liveliest when you go on live at 10:30,” he said, contrasting the schedule with watching football all day on the sofa.
