UPDATE 3-Soccer-Shearer confirmed as Newcastle manager

* Shearer takes over for final eight games of season

* Wise leaves post as executive director of football (adds quote, penultimate para)

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) - Former striker Alan Shearer will return to Newcastle United as manager for the final eight games of the season, the struggling Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Shearer, the club's record goalscorer with 206 goals in 404 appearances, takes over from the ailing Joe Kinnear with the immediate task of ensuring top flight survival.

"Like thousands of people in Newcastle, I desperately don't want this club to go down and I'll be working with the staff to try and prevent that," Shearer told BBC radio.

"There is a nucleus of players here who can get this club out of trouble. It's a tough, tough situation that Newcastle are in and I feel deeply for this club and believe I can help it."

Managing director Derek Llambias told the club website (www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk) everybody at Newcastle was delighted Shearer had taken the job.

"Already there is a buzz about the club and the city. The news has given everyone a massive boost," he said.