It seems 'word of mouth' and 'off the record' ... but according to the Chronicle ... Alan Shearer is ready to jump into the Toon hot-seat the moment Mike Ashley hot-foots oooot of Toon!

There are no quotes, but the Chronicle reports: "Shearer has indicated he is ready to take the manager's job at Newcastle United if it is offered to him by the club's new owners as he prepares to bid farewell to the comfort of the television studio.