GLENN Roeder has finally admitted that chairman Freddy Shepherd has asked him to become the next manager of Newcastle United - and he hopes to have retiring skipper Alan Shearer by his side.

Although there is still some confusion as to whether he will be allowed to continue as Newcastle boss after the Premier League turned down the club's request for special dispensation on Thursday evening, Shepherd is confident he will receive the backing of his Premiership counterparts at the AGM early next month and finally install Roeder as manager.

United need endorsements from 14 of the 20 Premier League chairman to get the go-ahead and, with the possible exception of Bolton Wanderers, Shepherd is confident he will receive the necessary support required after forging good relations with his opposite numbers in recent years.

The Premier League have a legal obligation to act as directed by the clubs.

Trotters' manager Sam Allardyce recently said he didn't believe Roeder should be allowed to manage as he doesn't hold the required UEFA Pro Licence to take the job on a permanent basis.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman, on the other hand, backed the former West Ham manager to take over at St James' Park.

Coleman said: "I think that if it comes down to the chairmen and the managers of the LMA (League Managers Association) then he will get the backing.

"Glenn has been in football a long, long time and it's not as if it's his first job, so I think he will get the backing.

"It's a similar scenario to mine at Fulham where I work with Steve Kean, our assistant manager, who has almost every qualification under the sun. Glenn has Tommy Craig."

The 50-year-old Newcastle caretaker boss currently holds the A Licence and needs only 12 months to complete the mandatory qualification.

The Pro Licence course involves a couple of workshops on fitness and conditioning, finance and agents, time management and the importance of youth development, and features keynote presentations by former managers and coaches.

After the workshops all Pro Licence students will continue their education via distance-learning lectures and undertake an overseas training and coaching visit, before attending a final residential course the following summer.

Roeder insisted he will not lose any sleep over the Premier League's latest slap in the face but understands why they have taken such a hard stance.

"I can't tell you how much I believe in the Pro Licence. The FA are going down the right route, but I'd have the licence if I hadn't had my illness," he said ahead of Chelsea's visit to St James' Park tomorrow.

"I spoke to two candidates doing it. They said that everything they've seen so far, me as a manager would already have come across it in my football life. I still believe it's a course that's worth doing and should be done."

As far as actually admitting whether he has been asked to become the new manager at St James' Park, he said: "The process is still in its early stages and it'd be foolish to make early comments.

"You know what life's like, let alone football. You say one thing and the other happens and you look foolish. You have to sit tight and see what happens. The fact the chairman's asked for dispensation answers the question I think.

"Anyone would want to manage this club, anyone who has ambition, and I'm no different to anyone else."

Roeder also confessed he hasn't given up on Shearer playing a role at the club next term despite his television commitments.

He added: "All these things are up for discussion, it's very early days. I don't want to look ridiculous for saying things. What is fact is that I'd like to think we could convince Alan to be involved.

"I know he's got a very busy year with his work for the BBC travelling round the world and I don't think he'll be in Newcastle a lot next year anyway.

"But when he is he could come to games and training and play a part.

"I don't subscribe that he has become too big for the club.

"He's a Geordie and he's had a great career here and it would be stupid not to try to keep him involved but Alan would have to answer that himself.

"We know his ambitions as far as management is concerned, he's been focused for all his life.

"Not to have him involved after Sunday would be wrong. Alan feels comfortable with the position over the last two-and-a-half months when we've worked together.

"He's been there to assist me when I've needed him about the squad and different issues. He can read the game which makes me believe he'll make a very good manager.

"He has a vast knowledge of football in general and he wants to coach.

"The earliest he can get his Pro Licence is possibly 2007, after he'd qualify with UEFA A this year.

"I know already talking to him about football that Alan's got a great understanding of the game.

"What gives him the best chance of being an excellent coach or manager is he's got an ability to get what's inside his head out through his mouth in a way players can understand.

"One of Terry Venables' great skills was you never had to ask him twice. You understood first time.

"Alan has that and he has the presence as well. I really hope he can be persuaded to take a role in the future."