Newcastle United finally released a statement on their website today confirming the sacking of manager Steve McClaren, following less than a year at the club.
With the Magpies hovering around the relegation zone, the board have decided to act and are expected to replace McClaren with former Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez.
Newcastle United apologised to Steve McClaren in their statement, admitting that the past few days have “caused uncertainty for everyone involved”.
Read the full statement below:
After the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday the Club has spent some time considering its position and has today concluded that Steve McClaren’s employment with the Club will end with immediate effect.
We acknowledge that reaching this decision has taken a number of days and that this has caused uncertainty for everyone involved, in particular for Steve and the players, for which we apologise. However we felt that this time was necessary to ensure the right decisions were reached with the best interests of the Club at heart.
Lee Charnley said: “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.
“Steve worked tirelessly to try and bring success to Newcastle United. He has the utmost respect of all the players, staff and management and he leaves with our very best wishes and sincere thanks.
“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.”
Newcastle have taken just 24 points from 28 Premier League games and were showing little to suggest they had the ability to stay up with McClaren in charge. Last weekend’s defeat at Bournemouth seemingly sealed the former England
