Newcastle sack McClaren as manager

Rafa Benitez has been lined up as the 54-year-old's replacement in time for Monday's match against Leicester City

LONDON: Steve McClaren was sacked as Newcastle United manager on Friday with the club facing relegation from the Premier League 10 matches from the end of the season.

McClaren's position has been under threat for weeks and speculation intensified after fans turned on him during the 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.

"After the defeat to Bournemouth the Club has spent some time considering its position and today concluded that Steve McClaren's employment with the Club will end with immediate effect," Newcastle said in a statement.



McClaren, 54, a former England manager, signed a three-year deal to become Newcastle boss in June and was also appointed to the club's board of directors.

But Newcastle have never recovered from a poor start to the season in which they failed to win any of their opening eight league matches.

They are 19th in the 20-team standings and facing a return to the second tier for the first time since 2010.



"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," Newcastle said.

"However, we felt that this time was necessary to ensure the right decisions were reached with the best interests of the Club at heart.

"Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley thanked McClaren for his contribution.



"He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time," he said.

"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."

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been lined up as McClaren's replacement in time for Monday's match against league leaders Leicester City, British and Spanish media reported.