“I don’t know what’s going to happen but, right now, Steve McClaren is our manager and we have to be with him”.
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The former St James’ Park star claims there has been a noticeable improvement in the team since December and he is convinced they have the quality to survive under the ex-England boss.
There is also an appreciation that the crisis – Newcastle are second bottom after losing five of their past six league games – is not exclusively McClaren’s fault but reflects systemic problems. On Saturday, the man who’ll forever be synonymous with the “Wally with the Brolly” headline looked on helplessly, the latest coach unable to stop the rot at Newcastle.
The talks were led by managing director Lee Charnley, chief scout Graham Carr and club director Bob Moncur, with the likelihood growing that McClaren will be given his marching orders.
A planned meeting between McClaren and Charnley did not take place on Tuesday afternoon.
The ever-optimistic Newcastle faithful are seeing several big-name managers linked and as the ones in here are saying, a change is now desperately needed.
It is not proving an easy task, however, particularly with just 10 games left this season and the Magpies trapped in the drop zone with a squad bereft of a proven goalscorer and with glaring weaknesses in defence.
Many supporters are incensed McClaren is still in a job more than 48 hours after the 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth.
Around 90 minutes before kick-off, the players issued a statement, which is understood to have involved PR guru Keith Bishop, in which they spelled out their backing for McClaren.
Pep Guardiola could be appointed Newcastle United manager and even he couldn’t turn that club around. Because that is where I am CONVINCED my club is heading now.
“Can we get out of this situation?”
After spending almost £80m on players across two transfer windows, McClaren has not been able to get the best out of talent assembled from across Europe – including Georginio Wijnaldum, who was wanted to Manchester United.
“Maybe it’s time to accept that the “head coach” role simply doesn’t work at NUFC and accept that a manager is required, a person who will not only coach but motivate and manage”, continued the NUFC Fans’ Forum letter.
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“Steve McClaren, he’s taking us down”, was one of the politer chants from the disgruntled locals as Newcastle slumped to yet another loss at the weekend.
