McClaren in limbo as axe hovers
STEVE McCLAREN has been handed a stay of execution at Newcastle – because the club are struggling to fi nd a replacement.
With managing director Lee Charnley last night no nearer to bringing in a new man to steer the club clear of relegation, beleaguered head coach McClaren is having to suffer a long, lingering wait.
Brendan Rodgers was heavily linked with the job yesterday following a rush of betting on him, but the former Liverpool boss remains intent upon waiting for the summer before he returns to management.
Both Rafa Benitez and David Moyes might have concerns about taking over at St James’ Park given the predicament the club fi nd themselves in with relegation looking likely.
Benitez, out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid, is living on the Wirral and could still be interested, although it is uncertain whether he would want the job on a permanent basis or just until the end of the season.
Moyes would want to be installed as manager, not head coach and would demand the fi nal word on transfers, not being part of the three- man team McClaren agreed to when he arrived nine months ago.
With the transfer window closed, this would not be an issue for Benitez or Harry Redknapp, another who could come in on a short- term basis.
McClaren arrived at the club’s Darsley Park training headquarters early yesterday, ready to put his players through their paces as usual at 10.30am.
There was a brief fl urry of excitement when his car left again at around 9am, as reports claimed he had departed, although it emerged that it was his driver and not the 54- year- old who was behind the wheel.
He has been isolated by Charnley and his fellow directors, who met in York on Monday without him. All efforts to seek clarifi cation on his position have failed. McClaren has received no assurances nor been told he is holding the fort until a new man comes in, but he is under no illusions about the situation.
He will return to the training ground today and has told friends he is preparing for Monday’s daunting trip to title- chasing Leicester, even though he doubts he will be in the visitors’ dugout on the night. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, left, is abroad on business with his company Sports Direct and has played no part in the current decision- making process.
He has given Charnley total authority to decide McClaren’s fate and to decide who is best equipped to come in and keep Newcastle in the Premier League.
It is not proving an easy task, however, particularly with just 10 games left this season and the Magpies trapped in the relegation zone, with a squad bereft of a proven goalscorer and with glaring weaknesses in defence.
They are in serious danger of slipping out of the top fl ight for the second time in seven years, having won only once in their past six league games. They were beaten 3- 1 by Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday, when the crowd turned on McClaren for the fi rst
time.