Peter Beardsley’s return to football falls through three years after Newcastle United exit

Peter Beardsley won’t be returning to management with Hebburn Town after the non-league club turned its attention elsewhere.

The former England international was in line for his first semi-professional role since leaving his position as Magpies under-23s head coach in March 2019 following allegations of racism and bullying.

Later that year, Beardsley was found guilty of using racist and abusive language towards academy players by the Football Association and banned from football for 32 weeks.

The Hornets, who compete in Northern Premier League Division One East, have decided to press forward with appointing another candidate, and NewcastleWorld understands that an unveiling could happen before the weekend.

That will come as a blow for Beardsley, who was previously one of the leading contenders to succeed Kevin Bolam - sacked at the beginning of March - at The Green Energy Sports Ground.

Recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever worn the black and white shirt, Beardsley, who also played for Liverpool and Everton, scored 101 goals in 279 appearances before retiring in 1999.

Beardsley soon stepped into coaching, primarily at boyhood club Newcastle, before working his way up to youth team manager.

However, in March 2019, after 10 years in the role, Beardsley, having previously been suspended for 14 months, parted company with the Magpies following allegations of racism and bullying.

Beardsley was later found guilty by the FA on three counts of using racist and abusive language towards members of the under-23s squad, which saw him suspended from all football activity for seven months.

In a statement released by Beardsley’s solicitors, he was “very surprised and disappointed by the decision of the Regulatory Commission” and felt “vindicated that the Commission has expressly found that he is not a racist.”

Since leaving United, the 61-year-old has attempted to rebuild his reputation by setting up his own soccer school, which was last hosted at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park during the October half-term.

Beardsley remains keen on a return to management but it won’t be with Hebburn, who are set to name Bolam’s successor before the weekend.

The South Tyneside outfit are already planning for next season where they’re looking to improve on their 13th placed finish in Division One East.