The BBC were happy to allow Alan Shearer to take the job at Newcastle United.

The Daily Mail says Shearer, Newcastle's new interim boss, had no problem extricating himself on unpaid leave from his BBC pundit's role on Match of the Day. That job will be held for him until a permanent appointment is made at St James' Park. Shearer has a gentlemen's agreement that the Beeb would not stand in his way whenever he decided to take charge at his beloved club.