Newcastle confirm McClaren appointment
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Image source, Newcastle UnitedAnd we will leave it there for today, and it has been a big day for Newcastle United.
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Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has been talking on BBC Radio 5 live about the changes at Newcastle
On Steve McClaren's appointment as head coach, Howey says: "He did well at Middlesbrough, at FC Twente and in the first season at Derby. Last season they were five points clear and didn't even make the playoffs so that was disappointing. I think he's a good appointment. He's got vast experience. He would need a lot of help because the squad at the moment is not good enough."
On Mike Ashley (pictured) stepping down from the board, Howey adds: "We all know there's no love for the owner. It has been rumoured that he would be putting more money into the club so the new manager could make some quality signings. So whatever steps he's taken is obviously a step in the right direction."
Image source, Getty ImagesSteve McClaren has not only become Newcastle United's new head coach, the 54-year-old has also been named on the club's board.
Mike Ashley has left his position on the board but remains the club's owner.
He replaced Nigel Clough at Derby in 2013 and led the Rams to the play-offs in his first season - though they lost in the final at Wembley to QPR and Bobby Zamora's last-minute winner.
Image source, Getty ImagesTopped the table on three occasions last season, and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, but McClaren's Derby suffered a dramatic slump in form towards the end of the campaign and missed out on a play-off place on the final day when they were hammered at home by Reading.
McClaren was sacked a few days later.
He succeeded Billy Davies as manager of Nottingham Forest in June 2011.
It didn't go well, is the polite way of putting it - McClaren resigning after Forest only won eight points from his first 10 league games in charge.
Then again, if you start taking phone calls halfway through a game it's no surprise when it all goes wrong.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton thinks Steve McClaren is the right man for Newcastle.
Barton writes on Twitter: "Very shrewd appointment by Newcastle. Great coach Steve. He has all the qualities needed to succeed there."
McClaren headed to the Netherlands after his England failure, and successfully rebuilt his career at FC Twente, leading the club to the Dutch title for the first time in its history in 2010.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn the process, McClaren became the first Englishman to manage a team to a top-level European domestic league title since Bobby Robson with FC Porto in 1996.
He left to take over at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg - but was sacked after just seven months in charge.
Sam Tomkinson: Why would you want to manage Newcastle? Absolute poison chalice. Owner content with mediocrity and fans expecting the world.
Myles Warwood: As a Newcastle fan I don't understand others disappointment in McClaren, who were you expecting? Klopp?
Andrew: Steve McLaren did a great job at Middlesbrough and I have high hopes for Newcastle! A northern manager through and through.
Who can forget this iconic image, possibly the low-point of Steve McClaren's management career?
Image source, Getty ImagesMcClaren's England suffered a miserable 3-2 defeat to Croatia that cost them qualification for Euro 2008 - and cost the manager his job.
As the rain poured down during the game, McClaren sheltered under an umbrella. The next morning's papers dubbed him the 'Wally with the brolly'. Because it would have been more more dignified to get a soaking...
Image source, Swansea CitySwansea City sign Ghanaian forward Andre Ayew on a free transfer from Marseille, subject to Premier League and international clearance.
The 25-year-old, who attracted interest from a number of Premier League and big European clubs, has signed a four-year deal at the Liberty after his contract expired at the French club.
Ayew, who will wear the number 10 shirt, will bolster Garry Monk's attacking options as he can play anywhere along the front line and behind the striker.
Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow has signed a new three-year contract with the Championship club.
The 20-year-old, who has represented England at Under-21 level, will remain at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2018, while the Whites have the option to extend the deal for a further year.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn 2001 Steve McClaren became manager of Middlesbrough. In 2003-04 they won the League Cup and then two seasons later he took them to the Uefa Cup final, where they were beaten 4-0 by Spanish side Sevilla.
Despite that defeat, it was still enough for him to get the interest of the Football Association and he became England boss in May 2006.
Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 live commentator
"Wish Steve McClaren well at Newcastle. Not his fault he's caught in the middle of club stance towards media but will overshadow his appointment."
It is being suggested that only selected media outlets were invited to speak to McClaren.
So let's look back at Steve McClaren's career in football. A very young McClaren is pictured during his time as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United.
Image source, Getty ImagesMcClaren enjoyed great success during his two years as Fergie's right-hand man from 1999 to 2001, which including United winning the treble - Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup - in 1999.
Alex Mays: Appointment of Steve McClaren doesn't really fill me with confidence, opting for Vieira would have shown a lot more ambition.
Rob Thornton: Doesn't matter who Newcastle appoint as manager, they wont be allowed to manage anyways, so Ronald McDonald would do just fine.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has offered his opinion on Steve McClaren's appointment.
Image source, Getty Images"He did well during his time in Holland, less spectacularly in Germany but I think he's proved himself to be a fantastic coach, a very good manager," Hislop told BBC World Service.
"My only concern with that job is that Newcastle's biggest problems are elsewhere. You have to look higher up the food chain for that.
"You just wonder how toxic a position it is. I continue to believe that maybe the problems are with the ownership of Mike Ashley."
Image source, BBC SportThis will be music to Newcastle fans' ears.
"This club has waited far too long to win a trophy. That's one of my primary objectives here," says new boss Steve McClaren.
"I've already won trophies as a manager, and a club the size of Newcastle United should be winning cups and finishing in the top eight in the Premier League.
"I'm determined to give the supporters of Newcastle United a team they can be proud of. "The hard work starts now."
Some quotes from new Newcastle boss Steve McClaren. "This is a big club with a wonderful heritage," says McClaren.
Image source, Getty Images"St. James' Park is like a cathedral on a Saturday afternoon, a symbol for the city and I am excited to be given this opportunity. I know how important Newcastle United is to the city and the region.
"The supporters are some of the most loyal, passionate and devoted in the world. Despite everything they maintain their faith. We owe it to them to do everything we can to reward them with success.
"There's a lot of work to do, but the club has made it clear about wanting success, and I would not have come here if I didn't believe they were serious."