Newcastle United have confirmed former England manager Steve McClaren as their new head coach on a three-year contract.
McClaren, who left Derby at the end of the season, becomes Alan Pardew’s permanent successor, following the latter’s departure to Crystal Palace in January.
“This is a big club with a wonderful heritage,” McClaren told the club’s website.
The Magpies, on Tuesday, released caretaker boss John Carver and Steve Stone; both of whom oversaw the remainder 20 matches of the 2014-15 season as they narrowly avoided relegation.
Pardew was approached for the St. James Park job in the latter part of tye 2014-15 season but chose to remain at Derby, who eventually did not reach the Championship play-offs and was sacked afterwards.
A manager with a trusted knowledge of the English game after guiding Middlesbrough to the League Cup triumph in 2003-04. The Riverside outfit also finished runners-up in the Uefa Cup (now Europa League) two seasons later- a feat which earned McClaren world class reviews and in turn the England national team job.
That was however followed with an unsuccessful spell with the England national team, during which he won nine and lost five of 18 matches and failed to reach the 2008 European Championship.
He successfully rebuilt his career at FC Twente- a club he led to a maiden Dutch title in 2010- thus becoming the first Englishman to manage a team to a top-level European domestic league title since Bobby Robson with FC Porto in 1996.
That was followed with a seven-month stint with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, before an eventful ten-match run with Nottingham Forest in 2011.
He succeeded Nigel Clough at Derby in 2013 and led them to the Championship play-off in his first season, losing narrowly to QPR in the Wembley final. He failed to repeat such feat in his second season as the Rams were hammered by Reading on the final day of the 2014-15 Championship season, costing them a place in the play-off and his job few days later.
“This club has waited far too long to win a trophy. That’s one of my primary objectives here,” said McClaren.
“I’ve already won trophies as a manager, and a club the size of Newcastle United should be winning cups and finishing in the top eight in the Premier League.
“I’m determined to give the supporters of Newcastle United a team they can be proud of. The hard work starts now.”
The 54-year-old also inherits a place in the Club’s board as owner Mike Ashley confirms his departure from the boardroom.
