Alan Shearer always felt 'tough as they come' Parker would go into management

For Cherries boss Scott Parker, his journey to develop knowledge meant asking questions to the very, very best.

When the then 24-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle from Chelsea in June 2005, Parker linked up in the same squad as iconic striker Alan Shearer at St James’ Park.

The pair started 27 games together that season on Tyneside, in what was the final campaign of the legendary frontman’s playing career.

Earlier this year, the Premier League’s record scorer described the Cherries head coach as “one of the most professional and meticulous and smart I lined up alongside”.

But what has Shearer made of Parker’s start to life in management at Cherries?

Asked in an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, the top-flight legend said: “He’s done really well. I wasn’t surprised that Bournemouth came in for him.

“He’s as tough as they come, very astute, wants to learn the game.

“I think he will do really, really well.”

Parker followed Shearer as the captain of Newcastle – taking on one of the biggest leadership roles at England’s elite level.

Quizzed on whether he always saw his former team-mate going into management, 51-year-old Shearer said: “I think so, yeah.

“He was a great learner of the game and wanted to progress to that.

“He was always asking questions, so it’s no surprise to me that he’s gone into management.

“His attitude was brilliant. He didn’t say a lot but he was a great professional, always on time, gave everything in training and in matches.

“He was someone you could rely on.”

Since his arrival on the south coast, Parker has piloted the Dorset club to 10 wins from 14 league games, equalling a club record unbeaten start.

And the Cherries head coach admitted working alongside Shearer in his playing days was something that inspired him.

“I aspire to try to be the best I can be, whatever I do and to get there quick, I try to look at the ones who are right up there,” 41-year-old Parker told the Daily Echo.

“Alan Shearer was exactly that. He was probably a driver, why I went to Newcastle in that sense.

“Once I was fortunate enough to get there and be around him, I needed to tap into it every single day. I needed to be around him, asking him questions.

“I am sure some of the questions, when you are young, are some silly questions.

“But like always, you look at people of that stature and they are the ones you want to emulate.

“Certainly, how they hold themselves, how professional they are, how they train, what they do outside, how they deal with finances and who they have around them.

“They are all things that make that person what they are you often find. Certainly with Alan, I was trying to do that as much as I could.”

The pair between them recorded no fewer than 809 Premier League appearances, as well as 284 goals in the division.

Shearer, in frank terms, also told the Daily Echo Parker was not one for taking any nonsense from people.

But is the Cherries boss still like that as a manager today?

“Yeah a little bit,” admitted the former England midfielder. “He (Shearer) didn’t either, so I was probably just copying him and learning from him a little bit!

“I expect high standards. I am someone who, every day came in and had the highest of standards for myself. I want people to follow that.

“When you are a player it’s very different first and foremost. I’d concentrate on myself and I’d do that, of course I try to bring team-mates along.

“In the position I am now, that’s what I demand.

“That’s what I want. Why? Because I am in charge and this is how it is. This is how I want my team to be and this is how I want my players to be.”

And with Cherries currently sitting top of the Championship table, Shearer would not be surprised to see Parker take the club back to the highest level.

“I know he has had a great start at Bournemouth,” said the Geordie superstar.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw them in the Premier League next year.”