Alan Shearer believes that Newcastle United left it too late to appoint Rafael Benitez as their manager.

Following the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on the weekend, Newcastle now look all but certain to suffer relegation into the Championship and given their terrible campaign, such a fate will not be surprising.

Club legend Shearer is understandably hurt by Newcastle's demise and has bemoaned the fact that the Magpies hierarchy did not appoint Spanish tactician Benitez as their manager a bit sooner, instead sticking with Steve McClaren.

In his column for The Sun, Shearer stated: "It looks highly unlikely that Newcastle will survive now. And the club will only have themselves to blame.

"For they have made exactly the same mistake as seven years ago by not giving the new man enough time.

"In 2009, I was made manager with just eight games to go. I knew straight away it was not long enough. If I had another four or five matches, I believe we would have escaped. This time around, Rafa Benitez was only given ten matches to save Newcastle.

"And if he had also been appointed sooner, I am certain the club would not be in the position they are in now. It is too little, too late. Again. Lessons have not been learned and it now looks like Newcastle are going to pay the ultimate price.

"Relegation will be devastating for the club, the city and the fantastic fans, especially with all the big money coming in next year. But there is simply no excuse for the club's complacency. Newcastle were crying out for a change. Everyone was shouting and screaming for it. It was obvious.

"But they waited far too long. Rafa has come in and done all he can. He has made a difference, there is no doubt about it, but he is not a miracle man."