Former Newcastle star Michael Owen has taken aim at Alan Shearer on social media.
Owen caused controversy earlier today when he claimed that he regretted moving to St James’ Park back in the summer of 2006.
“My move to Newcastle was one I really regret – I should have followed my gut instincts from the start. I didn’t want to go there – my heart was still set on a return to Liverpool,” he told The Mirror.
“Newcastle manager Graeme Souness called me roughly every two weeks for almost the entire year I was in Spain and I can’t deny I liked the attention.
“As the year wore on, he’d call me and say things like: ‘Michael, I see you didn’t start last weekend. Would you think about coming to Newcastle?’
“While I don’t think I led Graeme on, with hindsight, I might have handled his first phone call differently.”
Owen added: “The fans never knew anything about any of the behind-the-scenes goings on which occurred during my time there but my relationship with them was damaged beyond repair when I was knocked out against Watford .
“When I got home, I switched on Match Of The Day to watch the game and I could hear Newcastle fans, my fans, singing ‘what a waste of money!’ as I’m being stretchered off.
“I can’t deny their actions that day changed things for me. No longer was I even going to attempt to ingratiate myself with the fans.
“Instead, I flipped it in a slightly more resentful way thinking, I don’t need to justify myself to f ****** Newcastle fans.”
Shearer dug Owen out of the comments on Twitter, saying: “Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week…..
But Owen has now hit back by claiming his former Toon team-mate nearly joined Liverpool.
“Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate,” he said on Twitter.
“I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out.”
The war of words has got fans on Twitter captivated.
One said: “OWEN SHOOTS. OWEN SCORES. OVER TO YOU, ALAN.”
Another said: “Celebrity boxing match.”
A third chipped in with: “Owen with the best shot since the Argentina game in 98.”
And a fourth added: “Here for the comments.”
Michael Owen: Reboot – My Life, My Time, published by Reach Sport, is on sale Thursday 5th September in hardback, ebook and audiobook.