STEVE MCCLAREN HAS been appointed as Newcastle United head coach on an initial three-year deal that could be extended to eight.
The Premier League club announced on Wednesday that the former England and Middlesbrough manager has succeeded John Carver, who had been in charge since the end of December after Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace before his exit was confirmed on Tuesday.
Carver preserved Newcastle’s top-flight status with a 2-0 victory over West Ham on the final day of the 2014-15 campaign, the side’s first win in 11 games.
McClaren was heavily linked with Newcastle towards the end of last season and was sacked by Derby County last month after missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs.
“I am delighted that we have secured the services of one of the best coaches in English football,” said managing director Lee Charnley.
McClaren arrives at St James’ Park faced with the challenge of attempting to unify a club unsettled by fan unrest aimed at owner Mike Ashley, who says he’ll now step down from the board.
Supporters staged regular protests last season against a perceived lack of ambition under Ashley and the billionaire businessman will look to McClaren to mastermind a change in fortunes for Newcastle.
