Embattled Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has finally been sacked by the struggling club.
McClaren took the helm on Tyneside prior to the commencement of this season, taking over from now Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.
However, McClaren’s time in charge of the Toon has been anything but fruitful, with Newcastle again embroiled in a relegation battle. They sit second-bottom of the Premier League table, one point adrift of safety but nine behind 16th-placed Swansea.
McClaren’s position has been under scrutiny for some time, and it appears last weekend’s poor home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
In a statement on the club’s website, managing director Lee Charnley thanked McClaren for his contribution but was adamant a change had to be made to ensure Newcastle’s top flight survival.
“I would like to thank Steve personally for his services to Newcastle United. He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time,” Charnley’s statement read.
Newcastle in the Premier League under Steve McClaren
Played: 28
Won: 6
Lost: 16
Scored: 28
Conceded: 53 pic.twitter.com/DXiZtb7tMD— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 11, 2016
“We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the Club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future.
“A further announcement on a successor to Steve will be made in due course.”
That replacement is expected to be announced imminently, with recently sacked Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez widely tipped to take over as the man to lead the rescue mission at St James’ Park.
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