Michael Owen revealed he did not speak to Alan Shearer for four years after public spat

Michael Owen once revealed he did not speak to Alan Shearer for four years after the pair endured a public falling out.

Owen admitted that he and his former Newcastle manager Shearer didn’t speak between 2019 and 2023 after an online spat.

“I haven't spoken to Alan Shearer since he criticised my book, no,” Owen said in an interview with DAZN Bet in 2023. “Alan works at the BBC and I work on other channels, so we rarely cross paths.

“I would say hello and shake his hand, things like that, but no we haven't spoken since then.”

Newcastle legend Shearer took charge of the Magpies at the back end of the 2008-09 Premier League campaign in a futile attempt to save the club from relegation.

During that period, which ended with Newcastle being relegated on the final day of the season, tensions emerged between Shearer and striker Owen.

Ex-Newcastle coach Paul Ferris has since alleged that Owen have been unwilling to risk his fitness during the run in due to his contract expiring that summer, a claim that Owen vehemently denies.

The striker went on to only feature in the final 24 minutes of Newcastle’s final game of the season against Aston Villa, which they lost 1-0 to confirm their relegation.

“I told him (Shearer) I wasn't fully fit but was prepared to play. As I left his office that day, he made an insinuation that led me to believe he thought I had half an eye on my next contract,” Owen wrote in his autobiography.

Michael Owen and Alan Shearer played alongside one another for Newcastle United (Getty)

“I'm not stupid — we both knew I was out of contract in a few weeks. It wasn't until three months later that I discovered Alan Shearer was apparently seething with me. Not only that, it transpired that he was telling anyone who'd listen what he thought of me.”

Tensions reignited in 2019, after Owen revealed he had not wanted to sign for the Magpies in 2005 and criticised Shearer’s performance as a manager.

Shearer hit back to a clip of Owen admitting to hating the last seven years of his career on social media, with the Newcastle legend saying: “Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k per week…”

Owen responded: “Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate.

“I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out.”

It’s unclear whether Owen and Shearer have spoken since.