A club statement said: “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”.
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Beside Benitez, Newcastle have considered other alternatives like Scot David Moyes, the former coach of Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad, and English coaches Nigel Pearson and Harry Redknapp, but the English club ruled them out after it knew about the interest of the Spanish coach.
Rafa Benitez will arrive in Newcastle on Friday to finalise the terms of his appointment as manager.
The dismissal had been widely expected following Saturday’s shambolic 3-1 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth which left the Magpies languishing in the Premier League relegation zone, a point adrift of safety.
Three members of the club’s board – managing director Lee Charnley, chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur – reportedly met on Monday without McClaren, with Charnley discussing the team’s situation with the manager by telephone later in the day. He has the utmost respect of all the players, staff and management and he leaves with our very best wishes and honest thanks.
Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has claimed that Rafael Benitez is likely to be a “favourite” among the supporters should he be appointed as Steve McClaren’s successor.
He was allowed to invest in his squad and has spent £78m during his time on Tyneside, including £29m in January. Despite considering David Moyes, Brendan Rodgers and Harry Redknapp, Newcastle have swooped for Benitez.
The new man’s first home game will be the clash with neighbours Sunderland on March 20, perhaps the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in years with both clubs battling the drop.
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McClaren won just seven of his 32 matches in charge, a win-rate of only 22%.
